Description
This Moist Banana Bread recipe yields a deliciously tender and flavorful loaf, enhanced with toasted walnuts and sweet raisins. Perfect for breakfast or a snack, it combines ripe bananas with a balanced blend of flour, sugar, and spices, baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Banana Bread Ingredients
- 3 very ripe bananas (medium/large)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (8 Tbsp), at room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup walnuts
- ½ cup raisins
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan and Toast Walnuts: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a bread loaf pan measuring approximately 9.25 inches long, 5.25 inches wide, and 2.75 inches deep. Lightly roast the walnuts on a skillet over medium heat, stirring continuously to prevent burning. Once toasted, coarsely chop the walnuts and allow them to cool to room temperature.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step creates the base for a tender crumb.
- Add Bananas and Eggs: Mash the ripe bananas with a fork until they resemble chunky applesauce. Add the mashed bananas and lightly beaten eggs to the creamed butter and sugar. Mix together until just blended.
- Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet batter, stirring gently just until combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the bread.
- Add Flavorings and Mix-ins: Stir in the vanilla extract along with the chopped walnuts and raisins. Mix evenly to distribute the nuts and raisins throughout the batter.
- Bake the Banana Bread: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated 350°F oven for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Avoid opening the oven door too often to prevent temperature fluctuations.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the banana bread to rest in the pan for 10 minutes after baking. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This resting time helps the bread set and makes slicing easier.
Notes
- Ensure bananas are very ripe to maximize sweetness and moisture.
- Lightly roasting walnuts enhances their flavor and crunch.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding flour to keep the bread tender.
- Use a loaf pan size close to the specified dimensions to ensure proper baking.
- Check doneness with a toothpick rather than relying strictly on time, as oven temperatures vary.
- Optional substitutions: honey can replace sugar for a natural sweetener.
