Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3-4 bananas)
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, for a hint of spice)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional, for added texture)
If you’re out of maple syrup, feel free to substitute with honey for a slightly different but equally delicious sweetness. For a gluten-free version, you can swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, melted butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir until well blended.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- If you’re adding walnuts, gently fold them into the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top should be golden brown and slightly domed.
- Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
A tip from my childhood: Let the bread cool completely before slicing. This patience pays off in perfectly clean slices!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International