Why Make This Recipe

Old Fashioned Banana Bread is a beloved classic in many homes. It’s a wonderful way to use up overripe bananas that might otherwise be tossed away. This recipe is not only easy to follow, but it fills your kitchen with a warm, inviting aroma as it bakes. Whether you’re enjoying it for breakfast, as a snack, or as a dessert, banana bread offers a deliciously moist and flavorful experience. It’s perfect for sharing with friends and family, and it transports you back to simpler times with its comforting taste.

Making Old Fashioned Banana Bread also allows for customization. You can add ingredients like nuts, chocolate chips, or even dried fruits to make it your own. Plus, this recipe is straightforward and requires just a few basic ingredients, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels.

How to Make Old Fashioned Banana Bread

Making Old Fashioned Banana Bread is simple and enjoyable. Just follow these step-by-step directions to create a loaf that will delight your taste buds.

Ingredients:

0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1.5 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
0.5 tsp salt
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 3 very ripe bananas)
0.5 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Directions:

Preheat your oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is a crucial step to ensure your banana bread bakes evenly. Also, take a moment to grease your 9×5-inch loaf pan thoroughly. You can use butter or a non-stick spray to coat the pan, which will help the bread release easily once it’s baked.
Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, take your softened butter and granulated sugar. Using a hand mixer or a sturdy wooden spoon, cream these two ingredients together for about 2–3 minutes. You are aiming for a light and fluffy mixture. This process incorporates air into the batter, helping to give your bread a good rise.
Add eggs and vanilla: Next, crack your two large eggs, adding them one at a time into the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Make sure to beat well after each addition until the mixture is fully combined. After the eggs are mixed in, stir in the pure vanilla extract and the mashed ripe bananas. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Prepare the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures that the baking soda is evenly distributed throughout the flour, preventing any uneven rising.
Combine wet and dry mixtures: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the moist banana mixture. Use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon for this. Mix until the ingredients are just combined, and be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a dense loaf. If you’re adding nuts, fold them in at this stage but set aside a few for sprinkling on top if you wish.
Pour and smooth the batter: Pour the banana bread batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top using the back of a spatula.
Bake the bread: Place the loaf pan into your preheated oven and bake for 55–65 minutes. To check if it’s done, insert a toothpick into the center of the bread. If it comes out clean or with a few dry crumbs, your banana bread is ready. If it has wet batter on it, continue baking for a few more minutes.
Cool the bread: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. After that, carefully turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This cooling process helps keep the bread moist and avoids making it soggy.

How to Serve Old Fashioned Banana Bread

Old Fashioned Banana Bread can be enjoyed in many ways. You can serve it warm or at room temperature. Some people love to spread a little butter, cream cheese, or even peanut butter on top to enhance the flavor. It pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee or a glass of milk, making it an ideal choice for breakfast or an afternoon snack. For a delightful variation, you can toast a slice before serving, adding a lovely crunch and bringing out the sweet flavors even more.

How to Store Old Fashioned Banana Bread

Proper storage is essential for keeping your banana bread fresh and tasty. Here’s how to store it:

Room temperature: If you plan to eat the banana bread within a couple of days, you can keep it wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and stored at room temperature. It’s best to keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Refrigeration: For longer storage, you can keep the banana bread in the fridge. Wrap it tightly to prevent it from drying out. However, refrigeration may alter the texture slightly, making it a bit denser.
Freezing: If you want to save some for later, banana bread freezes beautifully. Cut the loaf into slices and wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap. You can then place them in a resealable freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy a slice, simply remove it from the freezer, unwrap it, and let it thaw at room temperature or pop it in the microwave for a quick warm-up.

Tips to Make Old Fashioned Banana Bread

Use ripe bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your banana bread will be. Look for bananas with dark spots or even those that are mostly brown for the best results.
Do not overmix: To keep the bread light and fluffy, mix the ingredients just until combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a denser texture.
Adjust sweetness: If you prefer your banana bread on the sweeter side, feel free to increase the amount of sugar slightly. Alternatively, if you’re using very ripe bananas, you can reduce the sugar.
Experiment with spices: For added flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients. These spices complement the bananas well.
Add-ins: Get creative with your banana bread! You can add chocolate chips, dried fruits, or coconut for variations that suit your taste.

Variation

While the classic recipe is delicious on its own, there are several ways to mix it up:

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread: Simply fold in a cup of chocolate chips into the batter for a rich and decadent twist.
Vegan Banana Bread: Swap out the butter for coconut oil or vegan butter, replace the eggs with flaxseeds or chia seeds mixed with water, and use plant-based milk for a vegan-friendly option.
Spiced Banana Bread: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even ginger for a spiced version that warms the heart.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen bananas for banana bread?
Yes, you can use frozen bananas! Just thaw them before mashing. They may be mushier than fresh bananas, which is fine for banana bread.

2. How can I tell when my banana bread is done?
You can check for doneness using a toothpick. If it comes out clean or with a few dry crumbs, the bread is done. If it has wet batter, continue baking for a few more minutes.

3. Can I make banana bread without eggs?
Yes! You can replace each egg with 1/4 cup of applesauce or a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal mixed with 2.5 tbsp water) as an egg substitute.

4. How long does banana bread last?
When stored properly at room temperature, banana bread can last for 2–3 days. In the refrigerator, it can last for about a week. If frozen, it can last up to 3 months.

5. Can I add other fruits to my banana bread?
Absolutely! Chopped apples, blueberries, or even shredded zucchini can be added for a unique twist on classic banana bread. Just be mindful of adding too much moisture, which can affect the texture.

Old Fashioned Banana Bread

Author: everly
Total Time: 75 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf (8 servings) 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A classic recipe for deliciously moist banana bread, perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1.5 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
0.5 tsp salt
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 3 very ripe bananas)
0.5 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, followed by vanilla extract and mashed bananas.
Prepare the dry ingredients by whisking together flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl.
Combine the dry ingredients with the moist mixture, mixing until just combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 55–65 minutes, checking for doneness with a toothpick.
Cool the bread in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Serve warm or at room temperature. Spread with butter or cream cheese for added flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Category: Baking
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 200
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 30mg

Keywords: banana bread, quick bread, baking, dessert, snack