Five-Star Banana Bread with Sour Cream

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork or potato masher until smooth. Leave a few small chunks for texture if desired.

Step 3

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

Step 4

Add the sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and sour cream to the banana mixture, stirring until incorporated.

Step 5

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.

Step 6

Fold in the chopped nuts if using, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 7

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing out the top with a spatula.

Step 8

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

Step 9

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

Conclusion

Tips:For an even deeper flavor, consider adding 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients. If you want to enhance the richness, substitute brown sugar for granulated sugar. This banana bread can be wrapped tightly and stored at room temperature for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. It’s delicious on its own or toasted with a bit of butter!