Banana bread
Prep time: 20 minsTotal time: 
Banana bread
The best way to put those ripe bananas to use. Simple to throw together, deliciously moist and gently spiced
Prep time: 20 minsTotal time: 
Spencer Lengsfield
Spencer Lengsfield
Ingredients
- 115g unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus extra to grease
- 150g light brown sugar
- 2 medium eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 100g Greek yogurt
- 3 large ripe bananas, mashed
- 250g plain flour
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- ¼ tsp fine salt
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
Step by step
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Preheat the oven to 170°C, fan 150°C, gas 3½. Grease and line a 13cm x 23cm loaf tin. Combine the softened butter and sugar in a bowl, then beat until light and fluffy, around 2-3 minutes. Add the eggs one by one, then stir through the vanilla, yogurt and mashed bananas.
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Sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt and cinnamon, then add to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined. Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin, smooth out with a spatula, then bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick comes out clean with just a couple moist crumbs. If it looks like it’s getting too dark halfway through, loosely cover with foil. Allow to cool in the tin, then slice and serve.
What is the number one mistake when making banana bread?
Using underripe bananas. The best banana bread is made using ripe bananas, which gives it the best flavour.
How long does it take bananas to get ripe enough for banana bread?
Usually three to five days when left to ripen naturally on the counter. You want them to be browning for banana bread. To speed up the process, you can place bananas in a paper bag for quicker browning.
What makes banana bread moist?
It’s those ripe bananas again! Another reason for their importance.
What is the difference between banana bread and banana cake?
Banana cake is lighter and fluffier, and also sweeter and – naturally – more like a cake, often iced. Banana bread is moist and dense and not as sweet – the perfect excuse to have a slice warmed and slathered in butter for breakfast!
What is the one ingredient for a banana bread upgrade?
You can add nuts or chocolate chips into the mix after the dry ingredients if you like a chunky banana bread. You can also swap the Greek yogurt for sour cream if you’d like a little more tang.
Can banana bread be frozen?
Yes! Wrap the loaf in baking paper, then wrap in tin foil and freeze for up to three months. Defrost thoroughly before slicing to serve.
