Ingredients:

  • 3 to 4 medium overripe bananas (approx. 450g)
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled (113g)
  • 0.75 cup light brown sugar, packed (150g)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour (190g)
  • 0.5 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
  • 0.5 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray and line it with a parchment paper sling for easy removal.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, mash the overripe bananas with a fork or whisk until mostly smooth with a few small chunks remaining.
  3. Whisk the melted butter into the mashed bananas until fully emulsified. Stir in the brown sugar, beaten egg, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk vigorously for 30 seconds to dissolve the sugar.
  4. Sprinkle the baking soda and cinnamon over the wet mixture and whisk to combine.
  5. Gently fold in the all-purpose flour using a stiff spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to maintain the light crumb texture.
  6. Fold in optional walnuts or chocolate chips if desired.
  7. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before using the parchment sling to transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely.