Easy Banana Bread 

There's something magical about the smell of banana bread baking in the oven it wraps the whole kitchen in a warm hug. What started as a way to avoid waste quickly turned into a cozy tradition I now crave on slow mornings or rainy afternoons.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas (the more overripe, the better)

• ½ cup melted butter

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 large egg, beaten

• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• Pinch of salt

• 1½ cups all purpose flour

• Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or chocolate chips

Directions

1. Prep Your Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.

2. Mash the Bananas: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth.

3. Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in the melted butter, then add sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined.

4. Add Leavening: Sprinkle baking soda and a pinch of salt over the mixture and gently stir it in.

5. Add Flour: Fold in the flour just until no streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix it keeps the bread soft.

6. Add Optional Goodies: If using, stir in chopped walnuts or chocolate chips.

7. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

8. Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

• Calories: 260