Description
This ultimate banana bread delivers a super moist, tender crumb packed with intense banana flavor in every bite. One bowl, no mixer needed, and customizable with chocolate chips or nuts. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or freezing ahead.
Ingredients
3 large very ripe bananas (about 1 1/2 cups mashed; look for lots of brown spots or black peels)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly (or substitute vegetable oil)
2 large eggs, at room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar (or light brown sugar for deeper flavor)
1/4 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
1 tablespoon turbinado sugar or coarse sugar, for topping
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or nonstick spray, then line with parchment.
2. Mash 2 1/2 bananas in a large bowl until smooth (save the third for slices on top).
3. Whisk in melted butter, eggs, sugar, sour cream, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Sprinkle flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon over wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined.
5. Fold in nuts and chocolate chips if using.
6. Spread batter into prepared pan. Top with banana slices and turbinado sugar.
7. Bake 55-65 minutes until toothpick has moist crumbs. Cool 15 minutes in pan, then on rack.
Notes
Use overripe bananas for best flavor and moisture. Measure flour by spooning and leveling. Wrap loaf while warm to stay moist. Freezes up to 3 months. See full article for variations, ripening tips, and storage.
- Prep Time: PT15M
- Cook Time: PT60M
- Category: Bread, Quick Bread, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg