Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon fine salt
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 medium ripe bananas (about 1 ½ cups mashed), very ripe and soft
  • ½ cup (120ml) buttermilk or plain yogurt (optional, for extra moisture)
  • ½ cup (60g) chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
  • ½ cup (90g) chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour the loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift or whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter and sugar until combined. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract. Stir in mashed bananas and buttermilk if using.
  4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding gently until just combined. Avoid over-mixing to keep the bread tender. Fold in nuts or chocolate chips if desired.
  5. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 55-65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  6. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.