Banana bread is the perfect thing to bake whenever you want something quick, cozy and homey. For those moments when you want to curl up on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate and a great book, banana bread is your best friend.
This is a very easy banana bread recipe that I like to use a base to customize it a little each time I make it. You can throw in whatever nuts you like or maybe add some dried cranberries for added crunch and texture. And if you have a chocolate craving that just has to be fulfilled, add some chocolate chips for a truly scrumptious dessert.
I like my banana bread with a strong banana flavor, which is why I don’t use a whole bunch of spices in this recipe. Feel free to add a spice or two you like, but I find that if I put in too much of the usual suspects (cloves, nutmeg, etc.), the strong flavors tend to overpower the gentle banana taste and the whole thing tastes like gingerbread. I have nothing against gingerbread, but I want my banana bread to taste like bananas, not like Christmas cookies.
I made the basic version for publishing this recipe which you can see in the photos, but there is nothing basic about the superb flavor of this sweet treat. The result is a moist, soft banana bread that will most certainly put a smile on your face.
If you can bear waiting, cover the bread in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator overnight for maximum flavor. Although I must say that a piece of warm, fresh-out-the-oven banana bread is one of the most irresistible thing ever…
Easy banana bread recipe
Ingredients
- 3 bananas very ripe
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 4x8-inch loaf pan.
- In a mixing bowl, mash bananas with a fork until the texture is almost even, small clumps are fine. Pour in the melted butter and mix to combine. Add brown sugar, vanilla extract, lightly whisked eggs and yogurt. Mix to combine.
- In another bowl, thoroughly mix both flours, white sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
- Pour the flour mixture into the banana mixture and gently stir until just combined. Do not over-mix.
- Pour the batter into the loaf pan. Bake for about 50-60 minutes at 350°F, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let cool for 20 minutes before removing from the pan.