Banana Bread Simply Recipe: Say Goodbye to Boring Bread

If you have overripe bananas sitting on the countertop for too long and are no longer suitable for eating, this banana bread recipe will save it! This famous dish has gained worldwide popularity as one of the most beloved recipes due to its simple preparation and delicious taste that everyone adores. Regardless of the variations, this copycat banana bread simply recipe has a firm crust and soft, almost syrupy core creating a divine and exquisite taste.

It doesn't take you more than 45 minutes to prepare, and the result is absolutely dreamy!

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Equipment
• Storage
• Pro Tips
• Banana Bread Simply Recipe
• Comments

Ingredients

• Butter — 6 tbsp.
• Sugar — ½ cup
• All-purpose flour — 1 ½ cups
• Egg — 1 pc.
• Baking powder — 1 tsp.
• Salt — ¼ tsp.
• Large bananas — 2 pcs., overripe, mashed 
• Vanilla pod — 1 pc.

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Put the butter (at room temperature) and sugar in a large bowl, and mix with a whisk.

3. Then add the all-purpose flour.

4. After all the ingredients are well mixed, add the egg, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.

5. To split the vanilla pod, employ a paring knife and extract the seeds by scraping them away from the pod using the back of the knife.

6. Finally, add the mashed bananas and vanilla to the bowl. Do not overmix.

7. Transfer the batter to a rectangular cake pan or baking dish (with baking paper).

8. Bake for 55-65 minutes.

Substitutions

• Butter — The rich and moist butter is a must-have for tender texture. Substituting butter is possible by using an equivalent amount of alternative fats like melted coconut oil or plant-based butter, although the texture and flavor of the resulting bread may not be the same.

• Sugar — Despite the natural sweetness of overripe bananas in this dish, adding sugar elevates the sweet profile and takes it to a whole new level. Opt for natural sweeteners such as honey, maple, or agave syrup to substitute for the sugar.

• All-purpose flour — Besides bananas, the flour is a base element in this recipe as it provides a well-needed tender and fluffy texture. Whole-wheat flour or oat flour are great alternatives, as they will boost the fiber intake of the recipe.

• Vanilla pod — The sweet, floral, and mildly woody flavor of the vanilla pod makes it a great addition to complement the taste of bananas and the rest of the ingredients. If you don't have a vanilla pod or choose not to use it, one teaspoon of vanilla extract can replace the seeds from a single vanilla pod.

Variations

• Add flavor — Add a bit of orange zest for a tropical and citrusy flavor. If you are a chocolate lover, add 1-2 teaspoons of chocolate chips for a tempting sweet chocolatey hint.

• Add texture — For a crunchy texture, incorporate chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts into the batter.

• Add topping — If you want to give this homemade dessert a special note, you can choose to add a topping. Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and some butter for a simple yet delicious topping.

• Sugar-free — To make this recipe sugar-free and reduce the calorie content, use a natural plant-based sweetener, such as stevia, erythritol, or Monk sweetener. Another option would be to substitute unsweetened applesauce to add natural sweetness and moisture.

• Gluten-free — A gluten-free flour blend will allow you to enjoy the deliciousness of this banana bread, even if you’re gluten-intolerant. For an optimal result, it’s recommended to use a gluten-free blend specially formulated for baking purposes.

Equipment

• Measuring cups and spoons

• Oven

• Baking dish or cake pan

• Baking paper

• Large bowl

• Whisk

• Knife

Storage

• Allow the banana bread to cool down completely before storing it.

• Store it in the fridge for up to a week, tightly wrapped.

• It freezes well. Slice the loaf and put the slices in a zip bag, with pieces of baking paper between the slices; you can maintain its freshness for up to three months.

Pro Tips

• Use overripe bananas — Remember that the bananas you use should be well-ripe. These are creamier and have a much more intense flavor.

• Pay attention to the flour used — Choose flour with higher gluten content so that the dough rises more, resulting in a fluffier texture.

• Avoid over-mixing — Mix until the ingredients are combined, as over-mixing can result in tough and dry banana bread.