Rich Banana Bread

For a rich and moist banana bread, you’ll want to use plenty of ripe bananas and ingredients like butter and yogurt to add moisture and flavor. Here’s a recipe for a decadent banana bread:

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans), optional

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. Prepare Wet Ingredients:
   • In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork or potato masher until smooth.
   • Add melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and Greek yogurt (or sour cream). Mix until well combined.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients:
   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon if using.
4. Mix Batter:
   • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
   • If using, fold in chopped nuts.
5. Bake:
   • Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly.
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
   • If the top of the bread starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover it with aluminum foil halfway through baking.
6. Cool and Serve:
   • Allow the banana bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
   • Once cooled, slice and serve. Enjoy!

Tips:

• Use very ripe bananas for the best flavor and sweetness.
• Greek yogurt or sour cream adds richness and moisture to the bread. You can use either, depending on what you have on hand.
• Add chopped nuts for extra texture and flavor, or you can add chocolate chips if you prefer.
• Store leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Enjoy your rich and moist banana bread!