Classic Banana Bread

Name: Classic Banana Bread
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 75 min
Yield: 10 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 ripe bananas, mashed; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed; 2 large eggs; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Moist and flavorful banana bread made with ripe bananas and a hint of cinnamon. Perfect for breakfast, snacking, or dessert.

75 minEasyServes 10250 cal/serving

AmericanBreakfastOvenVegetarianLow-SodiumPork-FreeNightshade-Free

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Ingredients

3 ripe bananas, mashed
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

1

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2

In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp ground cinnamon.
3

In a large bowl, cream together 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter and 3/4 cup packed brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4

Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time, then stir in 3 mashed ripe bananas and 1 tsp vanilla extract until well blended.
5

Gradually stir the flour mixture into the banana mixture just until combined. Do not overmix.
6

Fold in 1/2 cup chopped walnuts if desired.
7

Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.
8

Bake for 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9

Let bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
10

Slice and serve. Store leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.

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Questions

What temperature do I cook Classic Banana Bread at?

For Classic Banana Bread, the oven is set to 350 F (about 175 C) in step 1. The longest stretch at that heat is 1 hour 5 minutes, in step 8.

How do I know when Classic Banana Bread is done?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 8: cook until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Why does Classic Banana Bread say not to overmix?

Step 5 reads: "Gradually stir the flour mixture into the banana mixture just until combined." Stirring develops gluten, and gluten makes quick batters tough and tunneled. Stop at step 5 while a few streaks of flour remain; they hydrate on their own.

What can I use instead of brown sugar in Classic Banana Bread?

The entry for Classic Banana Bread calls for 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed. In its place: White sugar with a tablespoon of molasses per cup. Without molasses, plain white sugar works but bakes up crisper and paler.

Can I make Classic Banana Bread gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in Classic Banana Bread is 2 cups all-purpose flour. Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

Is Classic Banana Bread vegan?

No, though it is vegetarian. What keeps it from vegan is 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened and 2 large eggs. For fully plant-based entries, see the vegan breakfast collection.

How many calories are in Classic Banana Bread?

One serving (the recipe makes 10) is about 250 calories, with 6 g protein, 38 g carbohydrate and 9 g fat, plus 3 g fiber and 116 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list.

Serve it with

Cinnamon Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso drink
Maple Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash side
Brown Sugar Boba Milk Tea drink

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