Best Banana Bread Recipe – Made With 3 Ripe Bananas

If you are looking for the best banana bread recipe, look no further. This recipe makes a moist and flavorful sweet bread that you will want to make over and over again.

Not only will you love the flavor, but you will also love how easy it is to make. In fact as long as you have ripe bananas sitting on your kitchen counter, you will probably already have the remaining ingredients in your kitchen.

Simply mash the bananas and combine the ingredients to make the batter. Then pour the batter into a loaf pan and put it in the oven.

Within the hour you will be enjoying a delicious slice of bread that is good enough to serve at breakfast or as a dessert!

Although this is a straight forward, easy to make recipe, there are a few important tips for making the bread turn out both flavorful and moist each and every time.

By following these few guidelines, you will end up with a fantastic loaf of bread that you can share with your family and friends. Or it might turn out so good that you will want to keep the loaf to yourself!

The Keys To Making The Best Banana Bread

There are several factors that can contribute to making the best banana bread, and it all starts with the bananas themselves.

1. Use Very Ripe Bananas: The key ingredient in banana bread is, of course, bananas! The riper the bananas, the better the flavor and sweetness will be.

Make sure to use bananas that are have lots of brown speckles on the peel. However if there are any brown bruises on the banana themselves, cut and discard those areas.

2. Properly Measured Ingredients: As with any baking recipe it is important to measure the ingredients properly. This is especially true when measuring flour.

The proper method for measuring flour is to fluff up the flour in the container. Then use a spoon to fill the measuring cup until it is heaping over. Then use a knife or other straight edged utensil to level the flour across the measuring cup.

3. Don’t Over Mix: Over mixing the batter can result in a tough and dense bread. To avoid this, mix the wet and dry ingredients together just until they are combined.

4. Don’t Over Bake: It is best to remove the banana bread as soon as a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Therefore, it is best to keep a close eye on the bread towards the end of the baking time to avoid the bread from becoming over done.

5. Let The Bread Cool Properly: Once the bread comes out of the oven let it cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Why Do Extra Ripe Bananas Make The Best Banana Bread

Extra ripe bananas are used to make banana bread because they have a softer texture and a sweeter flavor. Overripe bananas are usually too soft and mushy to eat on their own, but they are perfect for baking because they add moisture and natural sweetness to the bread.

As bananas ripen the starches in the fruit convert to sugar. This is why overripe bananas are much sweeter than green and yellow bananas.

Additionally, the soft texture of overripe bananas makes them easier to mash and incorporate into the batter. This helps to ensure that the banana flavor is evenly distributed throughout the bread.

Possible Recipe Additions

Many people consider the best banana bread to have add ins to give the bread more flavor and texture. And you can certainly add ingredients to this recipe as well. Below I have listed some common ingredients to add to sweet bread recips.

Nuts: Chopped nuts such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds can add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to banana bread.

Chocolate chips: Adding chocolate chips to banana bread can make it more indulgent and dessert-like.

Dried fruit: Dried fruit such as raisins, cranberries, or apricots can add a chewy texture and additional natural sweetness to the bread.

Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger are common spices that are often added to enhance the flavor.

Peanut butter: Swirling peanut butter into the batter or adding peanut butter chips compliment the flavor of the bananas in this recipe.

Lemon zest: Adding lemon zest to the batter can add a bright, citrusy flavor that complements the sweetness of the bread.

How To Store Banana Bread

Allow the bread to cool completely before storing. If the bread is still warm, it can create condensation inside the container and make the bread soggy.

Once the banana bread is cool it is best to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Then store the wrapped bread in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out.

You can store banana bread at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you need to store it for longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months.

To freeze banana bread, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil and place it in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. When you’re ready to eat the frozen banana bread, let it thaw at room temperature until soft.

Best Banana Bread Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 3 large ripe bananas
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 3/4-1 cup granulated Sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with butter or no stick cooking spray.

Pour the melted butter into a large bowl. Then add the bananas to bowl with the butter and mash the bananas with a fork.

Add the vanilla extract and egg to the bowl with the smashed banana and use the same fork to break the egg yolk and stir until you can no longer see any remnants of egg whites or yolk. Set aside.

In a different large bowl add the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon and whisk together until no clumps of flour are visible.

Add half of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix together with a silicone spatula until half of the dry mixture is absorbed. Then add the remaining dry ingredients and mix just until combined.

Pour the banana bread batter into prepared loaf pan, being sure to even out the top of the batter.

Bake Time Required

Bake for 45-55 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean.

Take the bread out of the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes on a wire cooling rack. Then run a plastic knife down the insides of the loaf pan and carefully invert the bread and remove it from the pan.

Let it cool in the wire cooling rack for best results.

For another great ripe banana recipe check out this Banana Oat Muffin Recipe. It also uses 3 ripe bananas.

Enjoy! Mary

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