Moist Banana Bread Recipe | Sweet Bread

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through making a delicious and moist banana bread, perfect for using up ripe bananas. Loaded with walnuts and raisins, this sweet bread is not only easy to prepare but also a delightful treat for any time of the day.

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients

Before you start baking, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients:

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed with a fork
• ½ cup butter (1 stick), at room temperature
• ¾ cup white sugar (or 1 scant cup of honey)
• 2 eggs, at room temperature
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp real vanilla extract
• 1 cup walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped
• ½ cup raisins

Tip: Ensure your bananas are very ripe for the best flavor and moisture.

Step 2: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your banana bread bakes evenly.

Step 3: Prepare the Baking Pan

Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan with butter or line it with parchment paper. This will help prevent the banana bread from sticking.

Step 4: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the following:

• Mashed bananas
• Room temperature butter
• Sugar (or honey)
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract

Mix these ingredients until well combined and smooth.

Step 5: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together:

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Salt

This helps ensure the baking soda is evenly distributed throughout the flour.

Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir until just combined; do not overmix as it can make the bread tough.

Step 7: Add Walnuts and Raisins

Gently fold in the toasted walnuts and raisins into the batter. These add texture and sweetness to your banana bread.

Common Pitfall: Avoid overmixing when adding the nuts and raisins to maintain a tender crumb.

Step 8: Pour Batter into the Pan

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

Step 9: Bake the Banana Bread

Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 10: Cool and Serve

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 before slicing.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve made a moist and flavorful banana bread. Enjoy it plain or with butter, and consider sharing it with friends and family. For future baking adventures, try exploring different add-ins like chocolate chips or coconut. Happy baking!