Classic Homemade Banana Bread

Ingredients

• 
  All-purpose flour 1 3/4 cups
• 
  Sugar 1 cup
• 
  Butter, softened 1 stick (113 g)
• 
  Ripe bananas, mashed 4
• 
  Ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp
• 
  Baking powder 1 1/2 tsp
• 
  Baking soda 1 tsp
• 
  Salt 1 tsp
• 
  Eggs 2
• 
  Milk 2 tbsp
• 
  Vanilla extract 1/2 tsp

Method

1. 1

   Cream the Butter and Sugar:
   Beat the butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and creamy.

2. 2

   Add the Eggs:
   Beat in the eggs until fully combined and smooth.

3. 3

   Mix in Bananas and Vanilla:
   Add the mashed ripe bananas and vanilla, then mix until evenly incorporated.

4. 4

   Fold in the Dry Ingredients:
   Gently fold in the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt until just combined, then stir in the milk. Do not overmix, or the loaf will turn dense.

5. 5

   Preheat and Prepare the Pan:
   Preheat the oven to 176°C (350°F) and grease a standard loaf pan.

6. 6

   Bake:
   Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

7. 7

   Cool:
   Cool the bread in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.