Banana Bread The Best - #

By jann

Ingredients

• 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 3 very ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat inside of a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray.

Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl.

Combine the butter and sugar in a large bowl. Beat on medium-high speed, cream them together until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the eggs, bananas, and vanilla and beat until smooth. With a wooden spoon, stir in the flour mixture until just combined. Stir in the nuts and if using chocolate chips add at this time.

Pour into the prepared pan. Bake until golden and toothpick in center comes out clean 50 to 55 minutes. Let cool in pan for about 5 minutes, invert onto a wire rack, then turn it right side up on a rack to cool completely.

Wrap in plastic at room temperature for up to 2 days, or wrap in aluminun foil and freeze for up to 1 month.