Old Fashioned Banana Bread
This Old Fashioned Banana Bread is a timeless classic made with simple pantry ingredients. Featuring ripe bananas, real butter, and vanilla, it delivers a moist, tender crumb with a golden crust and pure nostalgic flavor.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- hand mixer or whisk
- Rubber Spatula
- 9x5-inch loaf pan
- Oven
Ingredients
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 3 very ripe bananas)
- 0.5 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan thoroughly.
- In a large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar together for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla and mashed bananas until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually fold into wet mixture until just combined.
- Fold in nuts if using. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 55–65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few dry crumbs.
- Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
This recipe focuses on traditional technique—creaming butter and sugar for structure and flavor. For best results, use very ripe bananas and allow the loaf to cool completely before slicing.