Ingredients
Here's everything you'll need to make your banana rich bread, with ideas for easy swaps and flavorful additions:
- 3 overripe bananas (about 300g, soft and heavily speckled for maximum sweetness)
- two eggs
- 100g brown sugar (½ cup) — or a golden drizzle of honey or maple syrup to add a touch of nature’s sweetness.
- 80 ml melted coconut oil (or use unsalted butter)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Use 1 tsp cinnamon if you’d like a warm spice note.
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 190 g all-purpose flour
- Optional magic: crunchy walnuts, little pockets of dark chocolate, or tiny seeds of chia and flax to sprinkle in a bit of wonder.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Lightly grease a standard loaf pan with oil or butter, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Mash the Bananas
In a large mixing bowl, transform the overripe bananas into a velvety mash using a fork, blending until the texture is lush and lump-free for that signature moistness. A potato masher or hand mixer can be used for an extra smooth texture. This step ensures your bread has that classic moist texture.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Whisk in the eggs, coconut oil, vanilla, and sugar. Mix until well combined.
Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients
Mix in the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Mix gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread light.
Step 5: Fold in Extras
Add your choice of extras like nuts, chocolate chips, or seeds for added texture and taste.
Step 6: Bake
Gently pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, giving it a light tap on the counter to release trapped air bubbles. Use a spatula to level the batter, ensuring an even rise and picture-perfect top. Slide the loaf pan into the center of the preheated oven and let it bake peacefully for 45 to 50 minutes, allowing the magic to happen undisturbed. You'll know it's done when the top is golden, springs back under light pressure, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with only a slight trace of moist crumbs—a sign of soft, fully baked perfection.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 15 minutes to set its structure. Then, use the edges of the parchment paper or slide a thin spatula along the sides to gently lift the bread out of the pan and place it on a wire rack so air can move freely around it, helping maintain its delicate texture and preventing any soggy bottom or steamy crust. Allow it to cool fully, letting its tender, moist magic settle before you slice into perfection.This helps lock in the moisture.
