Okay, folks, let’s dive into making some good old-fashioned banana bread. I’ve made this recipe countless times, and it always hits the spot. It’s super simple, even if you’re not a baking whiz.
Get Everything Ready
First things first, I gathered all my ingredients. This is important because you don’t want to be halfway through and realize you’re out of something. Here’s what I grabbed:
- 3 ripe bananas – the browner, the better!
- 1/3 cup melted butter (unsalted)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- 3/4 cup sugar (you can use a bit less if your bananas are super ripe)
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Let’s Get Mixing!
Preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C). No need to wait to get start,I just turned it on.
I grabbed a large mixing bowl and mashed those bananas with a fork. Don’t worry about getting them perfectly smooth, a few chunks are fine. It’s old-fashioned, remember? Then, I poured in the melted butter and mixed it all up.
Next, I sprinkled in the baking soda and salt, then added the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. I gave it all a good stir until it was well combined. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just make sure everything’s mixed in.
Finally, I added the flour and mixed until just combined. Don’t overmix it! Overmixing can make the bread tough, and nobody wants that.
Bake and Enjoy
I greased a loaf pan – I used a 9×5 inch * poured the batter into the prepared pan.
I popped it in the oven and baked for about 50-60 minutes. You know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Mine usually takes closer to 60 minutes, but all ovens are different, so keep an eye on it.
Once it was done, I took it out of the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Although, who am I kidding? I usually slice off a piece while it’s still warm. It’s just too good to resist!
And that’s it! Easy peasy, old-fashioned banana bread. Enjoy!
