Best Easy Banana Bread
This moist and flavorful banana bread is soft, cozy, and easy to make with simple ingredients. It’s a classic quick bread with a tender crumb, warm cinnamon, and an optional nutty finish.
Ingredients
For the banana bread:
- 3 very ripe bananas mashed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans optional
Optional topping:
- 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, mash the bananas until mostly smooth. Whisk in the melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla until well combined.
- Add the sour cream or yogurt and stir until the mixture looks creamy.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture just until no flour streaks remain.
- Gently stir in the walnuts or pecans if you’re using them.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle with the optional cinnamon sugar topping.
- Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool the loaf in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
Store leftovers tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Swap the nuts for chocolate chips if you want a sweeter version.
Do not overmix the batter, or the bread can turn tough.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!