Go Back
+ servings
Banana bread slices on a piece of parchment paper.
Print

Banana Bread

The perfect Banana Bread stands alone: soft with some chew, moist, and full of bright banana flavor. It needs no mix-ins or toppings and it's perfect any day of the week, any time of day. This is the recipe you've been searching for, the last Banana Bread recipe you'll ever need.
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8 servings (1 slice each)
Calories 336kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a loaf pan with butter or line with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  • In a standing mixer fit with the paddle attachment, or with an electric hand mixer by hand, cream together the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
  • Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Beat in vanilla and bananas. Add flour mixture in 3 batches and beat until just incorporated (do not overmix).
  • Pour into prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the loaf comes out clean, about 50 minutes, checking every 5 minutes after until done (mine usually takes 60 minutes). Cool 10 minutes in pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, about 1 hour.

Notes

  1. Butter: Refrigerated butter generally softens up in about 30 minutes when left out at room temperature. To soften butter in the microwave, unwrap, and place on a microwave-safe plate. Then cook the butter at 10% power for 1 minute. Gently press on the butter with your finger. Still too firm? Cook for another 40 seconds at 10% power.
  2. Bananas: Use fully-ripe or slightly overripe bananas (brown spots mean naturally sweet!). See Recipe FAQs for tips on how to ripen bananas in your oven. If you’re short on mashed bananas, add unsweetened applesauce to reach 2 ½ cups. 
  3. Yield: This recipe makes 1 (2-pound) loaf, enough for 8 thick, hearty slices.
  4. Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
  5. Freezer: The Banana Bread loaf can be wrapped in parchment or foil and placed in a zip-top plastic bag and frozen up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 slice | Calories: 336kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 278mg | Potassium: 383mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 291IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 2mg