This 3-step easy banana bread recipe was the highlight of last month’s Mom’s CHAIR meeting at West Park Baptist Church in Knoxville, TN. CHAIR stands for Connecting Homes with Authentic Intentional Relationships, and it’s similar to a MOPS program.
Every month, we moms gather to study the Bible, hear from inspiring speakers, connect with mentor moms, and enjoy delicious food! As the person responsible for brunch items, I chose to make banana bread this time.
This cherished recipe comes from my well-loved Taste of Home cookbook. It’s a classic favorite because it works perfectly as a loaf or muffins and can be tailored with walnuts or chocolate chips for an extra touch.
Baking the 3-Step Easy Banana Bread Recipe
The 3-step easy banana bread recipe is a timeless treat that fills your kitchen with comforting aromas while being incredibly versatile. Let’s break it into simple steps for success.
Step 1: The Wet Ingredients
First, start by creaming 1/4 cup of softened butter and 3/4 cup of sugar together. You can also use shortening in place of the butter in this easy banana bread recipe, and it will yield a fluffy, light texture. Add 2 eggs, one at a time, and beat the mixture well after each addition.
Second, stir in a cup of mashed (over)ripe bananas and 1/2 cup of low-fat sour cream. You can also use Greek yogurt in place of the sour cream if you don’t have any on hand.
Step 2: The Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, combine 2 and 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Then toss in 3/4 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Stir all of this together, and then slowly add it to the wet ingredients.
Step 3: Baking Easy Banana Bread or Muffins
As you stir the dough, you will notice it is thick and sticky. If you want to add walnuts (1/2 cup) or chocolate chips (1 cup), now is the time to do so. My family doesn’t like walnuts, so I opted to leave it plain. But really, no matter how you make this banana bread, it will be moist and delicious!
Pour the easy banana bread mixture into a well-greased glass loaf pan. Dark non-stick loaf pans also work, but you will probably need to adjust your oven temperature if you use them. Bake the easy banana bread at 350 degrees for about an hour or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. For darker pans, bake at 325 degrees, and check for doneness at an hour and add more time as needed.
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing it. It cuts best into slices when it has cooled completely.
You can also make these in muffin tins and bake them for about 20-25 minutes. One time, I made banana chocolate chip muffins for my kiddos’ snack, and they loved them!
Easy Banana Bread Tips for Any Occasion
This easy banana bread is perfect as a holiday gift or a treat with your morning coffee. It also freezes exceptionally well! If you’re feeling inspired to bake but know you won’t finish it all before it goes bad, just pop it in the freezer for later. Your future self will thank you!
What’s your favorite thing to bake this time of year? When I’m not making banana bread, I also love to bake cinnamon apple muffins, mini blueberry peach scones, and pumpkin muffins with vanilla frosting. You can find these recipes and more on my recipe index or my Pinterest Boards. Happy cooking, y’all!
