Are you craving a warm, comforting slice of banana bread but don't have baking soda? Don't worry! This delicious recipe proves you can achieve moist, flavorful banana bread without it. This easy recipe is perfect for beginners, a quick weeknight dessert, or a thoughtful homemade gift. Let's get baking!
Ingredients:
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed (the riper, the better!)
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions:
Get started: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan. This simple prep step ensures your banana bread will slide right out once baked.
Mash and mix the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, mash the bananas thoroughly. Add the melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined. This creates the base of your moist and flavorful banana bread.
Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. This ensures all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. Overmixing can result in a tough bread.
Add nuts (optional): If using, gently fold in the chopped nuts.
Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on it after 50 minutes; oven temperatures can vary.
Cool and enjoy: Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, slice and enjoy! This is the best part of the process - indulging in your homemade banana bread!
Tips for the Best Banana Bread:
- Use very ripe bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be. Brown spots are your friend!
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough bread.
- Check for doneness: Start checking for doneness around 50 minutes to avoid overbaking.
- Let it cool completely: Allowing the bread to cool completely before slicing prevents it from crumbling.
Variations:
- Chocolate chip banana bread: Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips to the batter.
- Spiced banana bread: Add a pinch of ginger or cardamom for extra warmth.
- Gluten-free banana bread: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. You may need to adjust the liquid slightly.
Nutritional Information (per slice, approximate):
- Calories: Around 250-300
- Fat: 10-12g
- Carbohydrates: 40-45g
- Sugar: 20-25g
- Protein: 3-4g
This easy banana bread recipe is a delicious and satisfying treat that's perfect for any occasion. It's a quick and easy recipe that is perfect for busy weeknights or a delightful weekend baking project. Enjoy!