Best Banana Bread 

This banana bread is incredibly soft and moist, thanks to the addition of sour cream. It's a simple recipe that's hard to mess up, making it perfect for both beginners and seasoned bakers. Whether you enjoy it plain or with add-ins like chocolate chips or nuts, this banana bread is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature

• ¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar

• 2 large eggs, room temperature

• ⅓ cup sour cream or plain yogurt, room temperature

• 2 cups mashed bananas (about 4 large ripe bananas)

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Optional add-ins: ¾ cup chopped pecans, walnuts, or chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and set the rack in the lower middle position. Grease an 8x5-inch loaf pan with butter or oil.

2. Prepare Dry Ingredients:
   In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

3. Cream Butter and Sugar:
   Using a hand beater or stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and brown sugar on medium-high speed until pale and creamy, about 2 minutes.

4. Add Eggs and Wet Ingredients:
   Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the sour cream, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract.

5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix on low speed until just combined. If adding nuts or chocolate chips, fold them in at this stage.

6. Bake:
   Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 55–65 minutes, or until the top is browned and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (a few dry crumbs are okay, but no wet batter).

7. Cool:
   Remove the pan from the oven and let the bread cool inside it for 30 minutes. Then, transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

• Calories: 383 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 58 g

• Protein: 6 g

• Fat: 15 g

• Saturated Fat: 9 g

• Cholesterol: 83 mg

• Sodium: 239 mg

• Potassium: 296 mg

• Fiber: 2 g

• Sugar: 27 g

• Vitamin A: 518 IU

• Vitamin C: 5 mg

• Calcium: 46 mg

• Iron: 2 mg