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Old Fashioned Banana Bread Like Your Grandmother Made Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.9 from 57 reviews
  • Author: Laura
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings
  • Category: Baking
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This classic Old Fashioned Banana Bread recipe delivers moist, tender slices filled with ripe banana flavor and a touch of vanilla. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon and optionally studded with crunchy walnuts or pecans, it’s a nostalgic treat just like grandma used to make. Ideal for breakfast, snack, or dessert, this banana bread is easy to prepare and bakes to golden perfection in a traditional loaf pan.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium bananas)
  • 1/4 cup whole milk

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

Add-ins (Optional)

  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal after baking.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps incorporate air for a tender crumb.
  3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract to enhance flavor.
  4. Mix in Bananas and Milk: Add the mashed bananas and whole milk to the bowl, mixing until everything is well combined and smooth.
  5. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and optional cinnamon to evenly distribute the leavening and spices.
  6. Fold Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gently fold the dry mixture into the banana mixture, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing which can make the bread tough.
  7. Add Nuts (Optional): If using, fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans to add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
  8. Transfer to Loaf Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula for even baking.
  9. Bake: Place the loaf pan in the oven and bake for 60-70 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean when the bread is fully baked.
  10. Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing to maintain structure and moisture.

Notes

  • Use very ripe bananas with lots of brown spots for maximum sweetness and flavor.
  • The optional cinnamon and nuts add warm spice and texture but can be omitted for a simpler bread.
  • Don’t overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to keep the bread tender.
  • This bread keeps well for several days at room temperature stored in an airtight container.
  • For longer storage, wrap slices tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.

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Find it online: https://tastydailykitchen.com/old-fashioned-banana-bread-like-your-grandmother-made-recipe/