Moist Banana Bread with Mix-In Options (Printable Version)

A tender, moist loaf with customizable mix-ins—choose chocolate chips or nuts for your perfect breakfast or snack.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Fruit

08 - 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/4 cups)

→ Optional Add-Ins

09 - 3/4 cup chocolate chips OR 3/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
04 - Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
05 - Mix in the mashed bananas until well combined.
06 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently until just combined.
07 - Fold in chocolate chips or nuts, if using.
08 - Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
09 - Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10 - Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • This banana bread has this incredible moisture level that store bought versions never quite achieve and it stays that way for days if you can make it last that long.
  • Its endlessly customizable with chocolate chips or nuts so you can make it exactly how you want it or use whatever you have in your pantry without an extra trip to the store.
02 -
  • If your toothpick comes out with moist crumbs but no wet batter, take the bread out immediately as it will continue cooking from residual heat and can quickly become dry if left in the oven too long.
  • The bananas should have dark spots covering at least half their skin for the best flavor I once tried with barely yellow bananas and ended up with something that barely tasted like banana at all.
03 -
  • If you need banana bread but your bananas arent ripe enough, place them on a baking sheet in a 300°F oven for 15-20 minutes until the skins turn black the heat speeds up the ripening process and intensifies the sweetness.
  • Mash most of the bananas completely for even moisture distribution, but leave about half of one banana in small chunks for bursts of intense banana flavor and interesting texture throughout the loaf.
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