Are you craving a comforting, homemade treat that's both easy to make and incredibly delicious? Look no further than this banana bread recipe! This isn't your average banana bread; the addition of sour cream and walnuts creates a wonderfully moist and nutty texture that will leave you wanting more. Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a fantastic addition to your collection of easy recipes and healthy meals. It's the perfect quick dinner side, or even a satisfying dessert on its own!
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions:
Getting Started: Preheat and Prep
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan. This simple step ensures your banana bread will easily release from the pan.
Combining Dry and Wet Ingredients:
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This is a crucial step for even baking. Make sure there are no lumps.
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In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. A hand mixer or stand mixer works wonderfully for this.
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Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
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Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
Adding the Moist and Nutty Elements:
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Gently fold in the sour cream and mashed bananas. The sour cream adds incredible moisture, making this banana bread exceptionally tender.
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Stir in the chopped walnuts. The walnuts add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
Baking and Cooling:
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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.
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Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the bread from becoming soggy.
Tips for the Best Banana Bread:
- Use very ripe bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be.
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing can lead to a tough bread. Mix until just combined.
- 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 helps it retain its moisture and makes for cleaner slices.
Variations:
- Chocolate chips: Add ½ cup of chocolate chips along with the walnuts for a delightful chocolate walnut banana bread.
- Spiced banana bread: Add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg, and a pinch of cloves to the batter for a warm, spiced flavor.
- Different nuts: Substitute pecans, macadamia nuts, or a mix of nuts for the walnuts.
Nutritional Information (per slice, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 250-300
- Fat: 10-15g
- Carbohydrates: 35-40g
- Protein: 4-5g
This nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the ingredients used.
This banana bread recipe is a perfect example of delicious homemade cooking that's surprisingly easy to make. Enjoy this tasty treat with family and friends, and let me know how it turns out! It’s a surefire addition to your repertoire of best recipes.