Classic Banana Bread

Jul 9, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Quick breads Vanilla: Extract Easy

A loaf of classic banana bread on a wooden board, two thick slices cut to show the moist crumb

A moist and tender banana bread bursting with ripe banana flavor and enhanced by pure vanilla extract for a warm, sweet aroma. Perfect for breakfast or a snack.

Prep 15 min

Cook 60 min

Total 1 hr 15 min

Yield 12 slices

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

slices

2.0 cups (240.0 g)all-purpose flour
1.0 tsp (5.0 g)baking soda
½ tsp (2.5 g)baking powder
½ tsp (3.0 g)fine sea salt
½ cup (113.0 g)unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup (150.0 g)packed light brown sugar
2.0 (100.0 g)large eggs
1 ½ cups (360.0 g)mashed ripe banana (about 3 large bananas)
1.0 tsp (5.0 ml)pure vanilla extract

Make it at home

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
In a large mixing bowl, cream softened butter and brown sugar together with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in the mashed bananas and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently with a spatula just until combined. Do not overmix.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake in the preheated oven for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.
Remove the banana bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
Carefully remove the bread from the pan and let it cool completely on the wire rack before slicing.

Tips

Use very ripe bananas with brown spots for maximum sweetness and flavor.
For stronger vanilla aroma, substitute vanilla bean paste or scrape 1 vanilla bean into the batter.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make classic banana bread?

Plan on 15 minutes of prep and 1 hour of cooking. The recipe makes 1 9x5-inch loaf (about 12 slices).

How should I store classic banana bread?

Wrap leftover banana bread tightly and store at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. Reheat slices gently in a toaster or microwave before serving.

Can I make classic banana bread ahead?

The banana bread batter can be prepared and refrigerated overnight, then baked fresh the next day for better flavor.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (5 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

A moist and tender banana bread bursting with ripe banana flavor and enhanced by pure vanilla extract for a warm, sweet aroma. Perfect for breakfast or a snack.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 12 servings this recipe makes.

228 Calories / serving

8.7g Fat

34.5g Carbs

3.5g Protein

15.9g Sugar

Whole recipe (12 servings): ~2736 cal · 104g fat · 414g carbs · 42g protein · 191g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 228 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 43 min·2.5 mi·~5050 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 31 min·1.6 mi·~3100 steps
Moderate cycling 23 min·4.6 mi
Swimming laps 32 min
Jogging 22 min·1.8 mi·~3500 steps
Stair climbing 21 min·~1900 steps
Dancing 37 min
Bodyweight circuit training 23 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 53 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.

Made with VanillaGoods

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