Description
Nigel Slater’s banana bread is a moist and flavorful loaf made with ripe bananas, butter, sugar, and flour. Enhanced with hints of vanilla or optional add-ins like nuts or chocolate chips, it’s a versatile recipe that can be enjoyed plain or with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
- Ripe bananas (3 large): Mashed, for natural sweetness and moisture.
- Butter (125g, softened): Adds richness and flavor.
- Caster sugar (150g): Sweetens the bread.
- Eggs (2, large): To bind the batter.
- Plain flour (200g): The base of the bread.
- Baking powder (2 teaspoons): Helps the bread rise.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds warmth and depth.
- Optional add-ins: Chopped walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips.
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease the loaf tin and line it with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mash the bananas
- In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth but slightly lumpy for texture.
Step 3: Cream the butter and sugar
- In another bowl, beat the softened butter and caster sugar together until light and fluffy.
Step 4: Combine wet ingredients
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the mashed bananas and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
Step 5: Add dry ingredients
- Sift the plain flour and baking powder into the wet ingredients. Gently fold the mixture until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- If using add-ins like nuts or chocolate chips, fold them in now.
Step 6: Pour into the loaf tin
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf tin, smoothing the top with a spatula.
Step 7: Bake the banana bread
- Bake in the preheated oven for 50–55 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 8: Cool and serve
- Allow the banana bread to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy!