If you’re looking for an easy and delicious banana bread recipe, you’re in the right place.

How to Make Really Good Banana Bread

Here’s how to make a really good banana bread. It turns out soft and moist, with plenty of ripe bananas, raisins, and toasted walnuts. This recipe is a great way to use up those over-ripe bananas you have sitting around, and it’s one of our favorite easy baking recipes from scratch.

Ingredients

• ○ 1/2 cup unsalted softened butter
• ○ 3/4 cup sugar
• ○ 3 ripe bananas
• ○ 2 large room temperature eggs
• ○ 1 1/2 cups flour
• ○ 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ○ 1/2 teaspoon salt
• ○ 1/2 teaspoon real vanilla extract
• ○ 1/2 cup raisins
• ○ 1 cup coarsely chopped toasted walnuts

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light.
2. In a separate medium bowl, coarsely mash the three ripe bananas. You don’t need to be perfect here, just mash them until they’re somewhat like baby food.
3. Add the mashed bananas and the two room temperature eggs to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix until everything is just combined.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined. This careful mixing is key to achieving a moist crumb, much like when you bake a delicious cake at home.
6. Stir in the vanilla extract. Then, add the raisins and toasted walnuts. Gently fold them into the batter with a spatula until they are evenly distributed.

7. Prepare a loaf pan by greasing the bottom and sides with a little butter. Then, dust it lightly with flour, shaking out any extra. This helps prevent sticking and ensures your loaf, much like homemade bread cubes for stuffing, comes out perfectly.
8. Pour the banana bread batter into the prepared pan and lightly smooth out the top.
9. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 55 to 60 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Once out of the oven, let the loaf rest in the pan for about 10 minutes. After that, transfer it to a wire rack to cool down to room temperature. This moist banana bread pairs wonderfully with a glass of refreshing cold brewed iced tea.

Note: If you or someone you’re baking for doesn’t like walnuts or raisins, or has an allergy, you can leave them out. The banana bread will still be delicious. For a delightful pairing, consider serving it alongside a refreshing homemade fruit salad with fresh citrus dressing.