When life gives you overripe bananas, there’s nothing better than transforming them into a fresh-baked loaf of banana bread. Today, I want to share with you my all-time favorite recipe for this delectable treat. Not only is it incredibly easy to make, but it also yields a moist and flavorful loaf that will have your taste buds singing with joy.
My Favorite Recipe for Delicious Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 2 c. (240 g.) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk
- 1 c. (200 g.) granulated sugar
- 1/2 c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 c. sour cream
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 c. chopped toasted walnuts
- 1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips
How To Make Perfect Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Every Time
To start, we need to prepare our loaf pan. Since this recipe makes a fair amount of batter, I recommend using a nine-inch loaf pan. Here’s a handy trick I like to use to line the pan perfectly with parchment paper: Take a large piece of parchment paper and lay it on top of the pan. Using your fingers, gently press down into the corners of the pan to create subtle marks indicating where the corners are. Then, cut a straight line from each corner toward the edges of the paper. When you slide the parchment paper into the pan, it should fit snugly with a bit of overhang. This will allow you to easily lift the bread out of the pan once it’s done baking.
Now onto the star ingredient—the bananas! Make sure you have some lovely ripe bananas on hand. If yours are not quite ripe yet, you can speed up the ripening process by baking them in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 30 minutes until they turn black and shiny on the outside. Once your bananas are ready, mash them using either a fork or a potato masher. You don’t need to achieve a perfectly smooth consistency but do aim to eliminate any large chunks.
With the mashed bananas set aside, it’s time to move on to mixing the wet and dry ingredients separately. In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients—flour, baking soda, and half a teaspoon of kosher salt—and whisk them together until well combined. In a slightly larger bowl, mix together the wet ingredients—melted butter, granulated white sugar, one whole egg, one egg yolk (for extra richness), full-fat sour cream, and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir the wet ingredients until they are well incorporated.
Now comes the important part—combining the wet and dry ingredients. Slowly add the mashed bananas to the wet mixture and gently fold them in. Be careful not to overmix the batter; a gentle folding motion is best to ensure everything is evenly incorporated without making the bread tough. Some lumps are perfectly fine, but make sure there are no dry pockets of flour remaining.
At this point, if you’re a fan of chocolate like me, feel free to add some chocolate chips or chop up a chocolate bar and toss it into the batter for an extra touch of decadence. You can also include other mix-ins like toasted walnuts or pecans to add a delightful crunch. Just be mindful not to exceed more than a cup or a cup and a half of mix-ins per loaf.
Once all the ingredients are combined, pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. If you saved a few chocolate chips and walnuts earlier, sprinkle them over the top for both visual appeal and to give people a glimpse of the deliciousness inside.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the banana bread for approximately one hour. To test if it’s done, insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean, your bread is ready to be enjoyed. Allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a cooling rack to cool completely for around 30 minutes before slicing into it.
The final result is a beautiful golden brown loaf of banana bread that’s bursting with flavor. The combination of ripe bananas, rich sour cream, and a hint of vanilla creates a moist and tender texture that is simply irresistible. The optional mix-ins, such as chocolate chips and toasted walnuts, add an extra layer of indulgence and crunch.
Banana bread is a versatile treat that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. Whether you prefer it as a morning pick-me-up with a cup of coffee or as a delightful dessert after dinner, this recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings. Feel free to experiment with additional spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to personalize the flavor even further.
So, how do you like your banana bread? Give this recipe a try, and I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. Happy baking!
