Classic Banana Bread

Ingredients

• •3 very ripe bananas (spotty-black), mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
• •1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• •3/4 cup granulated sugar
• •1 large egg, beaten
• •1 tsp vanilla extract
• •1 tsp baking soda
• •1/4 tsp fine salt
• •1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• •1/4 cup sour cream or plain yogurt (optional, for extra moisture)
• •1/2 cup chopped walnuts or chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment, leaving an overhang on the long sides.

2. 2

   In a large bowl, mash the bananas until mostly smooth. Whisk in the melted butter.

3. 3

   Whisk in the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla until combined.

4. 4

   Sprinkle the baking soda and salt evenly over the mixture and stir in.

5. 5

   Add the flour (and sour cream, if using) and fold with a spatula just until no dry streaks remain — a few lumps are fine. Fold in walnuts or chocolate chips if using. Do not overmix.

6. 6

   Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.

7. 7

   Bake 55–65 minutes, tenting loosely with foil after 35 minutes if the top is browning too fast, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter).

8. 8

   Cool in the pan 10 minutes, then lift out onto a wire rack using the parchment overhang. Cool at least 20 minutes before slicing.