Description
This Banana Bread with Pecans and Chocolate Chips is a moist, flavorful treat made with ripe bananas, a hint of cinnamon, and a choice of crunchy pecans or chocolate chips. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a snack.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- ¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- ⅓ cup sour cream or plain yogurt (room temperature)
- 2 cups mashed bananas (about 4 large ripe bananas)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup chopped pecans, walnuts, or chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
- Add the Eggs and Sour Cream: Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the sour cream (or yogurt) and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Add the Bananas: Stir in the mashed bananas until fully incorporated.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fold in the Nuts or Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the chopped pecans, walnuts, or chocolate chips (if using).
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (a few moist crumbs are okay).
- Cool and Serve: Allow the banana bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve once fully cooled.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, omit the pecans or walnuts, or substitute with sunflower seeds.
- For a vegan version, replace the butter with coconut oil and the eggs with flax eggs or chia eggs. Use dairy-free yogurt for a plant-based option.
- Add a pinch of ground ginger or nutmeg for extra flavor.
- For a banana-chocolate swirl, swirl in some melted chocolate chips before baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 60-70 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
