Banana Bread Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar (you can adjust to taste)
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• Optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) or chocolate chips

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

1. Preheat:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

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Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

1. Mash the Bananas:
   • In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork or potato masher until smooth.
2. Combine with Butter:
   • Stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas until well combined.
3. Add Egg and Vanilla:
   • Mix in the beaten egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.

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Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients

1. Combine Dry Ingredients:
   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the baking soda, salt, and flour.
2. Mix with Wet Ingredients:
   • Gradually add the dry mixture to the banana mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Do not overmix; it’s okay if there are a few lumps.
3. Add Optional Ingredients:
   • If desired, fold in the chopped nuts or chocolate chips.

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Step 4: Bake

1. Pour into Loaf Pan:
   • Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
2. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

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Step 5: Cool and Serve

1. Cool:
   • Once baked, remove the banana bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. Slice and Enjoy:
   • Once cooled, slice the banana bread and enjoy it plain or spread with butter!

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Tips:

• Storage: Store leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. It also freezes well—just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
• Ripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be. Look for bananas with plenty of brown spots!
• Variations: You can add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for extra flavor or substitute half of the flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier option.

Enjoy your delicious homemade Banana Bread!