Are you ready to elevate your baking game with a delightful twist on a classic favorite? Introducing "Banana Bread with Zing" – a scrumptious treat that combines the rich, comforting flavors of ripe bananas with a hint of cinnamon to tantalize your taste buds! Perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a cozy dessert, this easy-to-follow recipe will have your kitchen smelling heavenly in no time. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of love, you can create a moist and flavorful loaf that will leave everyone asking for seconds. So, grab those overripe bananas and let’s get baking!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 50 mins
Total Time: 65 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 1 loaf
Ingredients
- 3 ripe bananas
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan with butter or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas thoroughly with a fork until they become a smooth, creamy consistency. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be.
- Pour the melted butter into the mashed bananas and mix well. The warm butter will help integrate with the banana puree.
- Add the sugar, egg, and vanilla extract to the banana-butter mixture. Whisk everything together until the ingredients are completely combined and the mixture looks smooth.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. This helps eliminate any lumps and ensures even distribution of the dry ingredients.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the bread tough.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to ensure an even surface.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50-55 minutes. To check doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the bread - it should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
- Remove the banana bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
- For best flavor and texture, wrap the cooled bread in plastic wrap and let it sit overnight. This allows the flavors to meld and develop.
Tips
- Choose the Right Bananas: The riper your bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your banana bread will be. Look for bananas with plenty of brown spots for the best results!
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the dry and wet ingredients, stir gently until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense and tough loaf.
- Cool Before Slicing: Allow your banana bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack. This helps maintain its moisture and makes slicing easier.
- Wrap for Flavor: For an even richer taste, wrap the cooled banana bread in plastic wrap and let it sit overnight. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Experiment with Add-ins: Feel free to add a handful of nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit to the batter for an extra zing of flavor and texture!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 28g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 35mg
