Brown Sugar Banana Bread
Breads · Serves 10 · Prep 15 min · Cook 1 hr · Total 1 hr 15 min
A moist, tender loaf with a caramelized crust, made with melted butter and the spottiest bananas on the counter. No mixer needed, just one bowl and a fork. It slices best the next day and toasts well for breakfast.
Ingredients
- 3 very ripe bananas (about 1 1/2 cups mashed)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Steps
- Heat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan, lining it with a parchment sling.
- Mash the bananas in a large bowl until mostly smooth with a few small lumps. Stir in the melted butter, then the brown sugar, eggs and vanilla until well combined.
- Sprinkle the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon over the top and fold gently with a spatula until no dry flour remains. Fold in the nuts if using.
- Scrape into the pan and smooth the top. Bake until deep golden and a toothpick in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, 55 to 65 minutes. If the top darkens before the center is done, lay a sheet of foil over it after 40 minutes.
- Cool in the pan 15 minutes, then lift out and cool completely on a rack before slicing.