Southern Banana Nut Bread with a Cinnamon Twist
This delicious and easy-to-make banana nut bread, infused with the warmth of cinnamon, creates a moist and flavorful loaf perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 3 pieces ripe bananas, mashed Ensure bananas are very ripe for maximum sweetness.
- ½ cup butter, softened Use unsalted butter for best results.
- ¾ cup sugar Regular granulated sugar works well.
- 2 large eggs Room temperature eggs are preferable.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Enhances the overall flavor.
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour Can be substituted with gluten-free flour.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda Helps the bread to rise.
- ¼ teaspoon salt Balances the sweetness.
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon Adds warmth and enhanced flavor.
Add-ins
- ½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) Choose your favorite nuts for added texture.
Instructions
Preparation
- Gather all your ingredients and preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Mixing the Batter
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, ensuring everything is well combined.
- Stir in the mashed bananas until well integrated.
Combining Ingredients
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Gently fold in the chopped nuts.
Baking
- Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan, smoothing the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
For a vegan version, replace eggs with flaxseed meal or applesauce. You can also customize this recipe by adding chocolate chips or replacing nuts with dried fruits.