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Easy Recipe

Easy Recipe

4.8 from 5 reviews

This honey vanilla banana bread recipe yields a soft, fluffy, and moist loaf that’s naturally sweetened with honey and ripe bananas. Easy to prepare and perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, it offers a delightful balance of flavors with a hint of vanilla. Optional mix-ins like nuts or chocolate chips add extra texture and indulgence.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 3 medium or 2 large bananas (about 1 1/2 cups), mashed
  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup honey
  • 2 eggs
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract or paste
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Optional Mix-ins or Toppings

  • Crushed nuts (e.g., walnuts or pecans)
  • Chocolate chips
  • Peanut butter glaze or frosting
  • Additional banana slices, cut lengthwise, for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and grease an 8½ x 4½ inch loaf pan to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and honey until combined. Then whisk in the eggs, mashed banana, milk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution and avoid lumps.
  4. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and gently fold together, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread soft and tender.
  5. Add Mix-ins and Pour Batter: If using any optional mix-ins, fold them into the batter now. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. For a decorative touch, place sliced bananas lengthwise on top of the batter, cut side up.
  6. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The banana bread should be golden brown on top.
  7. Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the loaf pan for 15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Use ripe bananas with brown spots for the best flavor and sweetness.
  • You can substitute milk with any dairy-free alternative for a lactose-free version.
  • Do not overmix the batter to maintain a soft, fluffy texture.
  • Store leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
  • Optional toppings can be added before baking or applied afterward as a glaze or frosting.

Nutrition

Keywords: banana bread, honey banana bread, vanilla banana bread, soft banana bread, easy banana bread recipe, homemade banana bread