Description
This easy Banana Bread Recipe is moist, tender, and packed with sweet banana flavor, crunchy walnuts, and chewy raisins. Made with very ripe bananas and simple pantry ingredients, it is a comforting homemade loaf that is perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.
Ingredients
- 3 very ripe medium or large bananas
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (8 tablespoons), at room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/2 cup raisins
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, mash the very ripe bananas with a fork until mostly smooth.
- Add the softened butter and granulated sugar. Mix until well combined.
- Stir in the lightly beaten eggs and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture and stir just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in the chopped walnuts and raisins until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread the top evenly.
- Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Let the banana bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful the banana bread will be.
- Bring the butter and eggs to room temperature for a smoother batter.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding the flour, as this can make the loaf dense.
- Cover the top loosely with foil during the final 10–15 minutes if it begins to brown too quickly.
- Store banana bread at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate it for up to 1 week.
- The cooled loaf can also be wrapped tightly and frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American