Easy Banana Bread in 5 Simple Steps

Overview

Wondering what to do with those forgotten bananas that have turned nearly black? Make banana bread!

Banana bread is a type of sweet bread made from mashed bananas. In the United States, it's believed banana bread recipes came about in the 1930s, with the arrival of baking powder in grocery stores and the Great Depression.

What banana bread means to me

For me, banana bread is more than just a tasty treat - it's a nostalgic comfort food that brings back warm memories of my childhood. I remember coming home from school to the inviting aroma of freshly baked banana bread wafting through the house. My mom would always save overripe bananas just so she could make her famous recipe.

Now, as an adult, I find myself continuing the tradition. Whenever I have a bunch of bananas that are past their prime, I know it's time to whip up a loaf of this delicious bread. The process of mashing the bananas, mixing the batter, and waiting patiently as it bakes is a comforting ritual that never fails to lift my spirits. Sharing a warm slice with friends and family is a simple yet meaningful way to show love and care.

Variations

As a sweet bread, you can include a variety of ingredients and use other shapes to create different types of banana bread, such as:

• Raisin banana bread
• Walnut banana bread
• Blueberry banana bread
• Gluten-free banana bread
• Vegan banana bread
• Banana bread muffins
• Banana bread pudding

And the list goes on! For today, though, we'll keep the recipe simple with a basic banana bread.

How to make banana bread

Things to know

This recipe works best when the bananas are overripe. However, this recipe still works if your bananas are polk-a-dotted. Also, make sure not to overmix the ingredients.

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: Roughly 1 hour

Makes: 1 loaf

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

Optional

These are suggested measurements for our purposes, but you can adjust them according to your preferences. Add only one or all!

• 3 tablespoons chocolate chips, walnuts, or pecans
• 1 tablespoon granulated or coarse sugar
• 1/2 cup creamy or crunchy, salted or unsalted peanut butter

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan with nonstick spray or line the bottom with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, butter, brown sugar, and salt. Crack eggs and mix them in one at a time.
3. Mash the bananas and mix them into your flour bowl. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. If you'd like to anything optional, now is the time to add into the batter mix.
4. Bake in preheated oven for roughly an hour. You can insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean, you can remove the loaf from the oven.
5. Let bread cool in pan for 10-20 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack for further cooling.

Serving and storing

How to eat banana bread

You can serve when it's warm and fresh out of the oven, though some believe it's better the next day. If you decided not to add peanut butter to the mix, you could try using it as a spread. I like eating banana bread with Nutella or just plain butter. It also pairs deliciously with a cup of coffee or afternoon tea.

Enjoy your delicious homemade banana bread!

How to store banana bread

Banana bread can be stored at room temperature, wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it fresh for longer, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. To freeze banana bread, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, and place it in a freezer-safe bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you're ready to enjoy it, simply thaw the bread at room temperature or in the refrigerator overnight.

How long does banana bread last

Banana bread can last for several days when stored properly. At room temperature, it will typically stay fresh for 2-3 days if kept in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. If refrigerated, banana bread can last up to a week, although it may start to dry out slightly after a few days.