Super Moist Banana Bread: The Ultimate Comforting Treat

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Mash the Bananas:
Peel the ripe bananas and place them in a mixing bowl. Use a fork or potato masher to mash the bananas until smooth. Set aside.

Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer or a whisk until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.

Add the Eggs and Vanilla:
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, add the vanilla extract and mix until incorporated.

Add the Bananas and Buttermilk:
Stir in the mashed bananas and buttermilk (or milk) into the wet mixture. Mix until combined.

Combine the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon (if using).

Mix the Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in dense banana bread.

Add Optional Ingredients:
If you’re using chopped walnuts or chocolate chips, fold them into the batter now.

Pour and Bake:
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached.

Cool and Serve:
Allow the banana bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy!

Serving and Storage Tips