Classic Banana Bread

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas (peeled)
• 0.3333 cup unsalted butter (melted)
• 0.6667 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg (beaten)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
• 0.25 tsp kosher salt
• ground nutmeg (pinch; optional)
• 1.5 cup all-purpose flour

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9 × 5-inch loaf pan and set it aside.

2. 2

   In a large mixing bowl, mash the peeled bananas with a fork until semi-smooth.

3. 3

   Add the melted butter, sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla to the bowl. Stir with a rubber spatula to combine.

4. 4

   Add the baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg if using. Stir to combine.

5. 5

   Add the flour and stir just until combined and no flour streaks remain; avoid mixing beyond that point.

6. 6

   Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 45–55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

7. 7

   Let the loaf cool in the pan for a few minutes. Remove it from the pan and finish cooling on a wire rack.

Notes

The recipe gives a bake-time range of 45–55 minutes; the listed cook time is the structured recipe's 50-minute estimate. The body excerpt notes that baking soda and baking powder can lose effectiveness over time; to check them, drop a pinch into hot water—if it fizzes, it is still good.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• baking
• banana
• vegetarian
• one-bowl
• quick bread