Moist Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips and Optional Nuts Recipe
This Moist Banana Bread Recipe is a delightful treat featuring ripe bananas, a perfect balance of sugars, and optional chocolate chips or nuts for added texture. Baked to golden perfection, this quick bread is fluffy, flavorful, and ideal for breakfast or a snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 10 slices) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Banana Bread Batter
- 3 Ripe bananas
- 1/2 cup White sugar
- 1/4 cup Brown sugar
- 2 Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup Melted butter
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon (optional)
- 1/2 cup Chocolate chips (optional) or nuts of choice
Topping
- 1 Banana, sliced in half lengthwise (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 4×8-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper. Grease the parchment paper with butter as well to prevent sticking, then set the pan aside.
- Mash bananas and mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, mash the 3 ripe bananas thoroughly with a fork until smooth. Add both the white and brown sugars and mix until fully combined. Then add the eggs and vanilla extract, stirring until the mixture is uniform. Finally, pour in the melted butter and mix until everything is well combined.
- Add dry ingredients: Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually add this dry mixture into the wet banana mixture, stirring gently until incorporated. Be careful not to over mix to keep the bread tender.
- Incorporate mix-ins: Fold in the chocolate chips or nuts of your choice evenly throughout the batter for added flavor and texture.
- Prepare for baking: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly. For an attractive finish, place the banana sliced lengthwise on top of the batter with the cut side facing up.
- Bake the bread: Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes. To check doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool the bread: Allow the banana bread to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before carefully removing it from the pan. Then let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for optimal sweetness and moisture.
- Do not over mix the batter to avoid dense bread.
- Optional additions like nuts or chocolate chips can be adjusted to preference.
- Ensure the loaf is completely cooled before slicing for best texture.
- Store banana bread wrapped in plastic wrap or airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature or freeze for longer storage.
Keywords: banana bread, moist banana bread, homemade banana bread, banana bread recipe, quick bread, dessert, breakfast
