Easy Banana Bread Recipe
Adapted from "Sunset Cook Book of Breads" by the Editors of Sunset Books and Sunset Magazine
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Banana bread is the most classic example of a quick bread. There are lots of versions out there, like this one we make with sour cream, but this recipe is the most basic, requiring only common pantry ingredients. Just mix the flour, baking soda, and salt in one bowl; the butter, sugar, eggs, and banana in another; and combine them, adding in a little water as you mix. In about an hour you’ll have a moist banana bread that’s great for breakfast, tea, or just a snack.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), melted, plus more as needed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature and lightly beaten
- 1 cup mashed very ripe banana (from about 3 medium bananas)
- 1/3 cup hot water
INSTRUCTIONS
- Heat the oven to 325°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Coat a 9-by-5-inch metal loaf pan with butter; set aside.
- Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
- Whisk together the measured butter and sugar in a large bowl. Add the eggs and banana and whisk until smooth.
- Add half of the flour mixture and stir with a rubber spatula until just combined. Add half of the water and stir until just combined. Repeat with the remaining flour mixture and water, stirring until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top. Bake until the bread begins to pull away from the sides of the pan and a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour to 70 minutes. Remove the pan to a wire rack and let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then turn the bread out onto the rack to cool completely.
