Moist Banana Bread (Printer-friendly)

Classic tender banana bread with rich flavor and moist texture, ideal for breakfast or snacking.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Wet Ingredients

01 - 3 large ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/4 cups)
02 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 1/2 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
05 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Dry Ingredients

06 - 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
07 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
08 - 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
09 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
10 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

→ Optional Add-ins

13 - 3/4 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped
14 - 1/2 cup chocolate chips

# How-To Guide:

01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, melted butter, eggs, yogurt (or sour cream), and vanilla extract until smooth.
03 - In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
04 - Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix.
05 - Fold in nuts or chocolate chips, if using.
06 - Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
07 - Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
08 - Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The texture is incredibly moist without being dense or heavy
  • It comes together faster than you can preheat the oven
  • Perfect for using up those bananas nobody wants to eat plain anymore
02 -
  • Overmixing develops gluten and makes your bread tough, so stop as soon as the flour disappears
  • If your bread starts browning too quickly on top, tent it loosely with aluminum foil
  • The cooling time is not optional, cutting too soon will give you a gummy center
03 -
  • Buy extra bananas when they're on sale and freeze them whole in their skins, then thaw and mash when baking mood strikes
  • If you don't have yogurt, applesauce makes an excellent substitute in a pinch

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