Classic Banana Bread (No Nuts)

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas using a fork or a potato masher until smooth. You should have about 1 1/2 cups of mashed bananas.

Stir in the melted butter into the mashed bananas until well combined.

Mix in the sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this could make the bread tough.

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

Bake in the preheated oven for 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Once baked, remove the banana bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.