Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 ½ cups)
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ⅓ cup melted butter (or coconut oil)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Nut Add-ins
- ½ cup chopped pecans (plus more for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal and prevent sticking.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon until well blended.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, thoroughly mix the mashed ripe bananas, pure maple syrup, packed brown sugar, melted butter (or coconut oil), eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and uniform in texture.
- Combine wet and dry: Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients just until combined to avoid overmixing, which helps keep the bread tender.
- Add pecans: Stir in the chopped pecans into the batter, reserving some to sprinkle on top for added crunch and texture.
- Prepare to bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan and sprinkle the reserved chopped pecans on top to create a delightful nutty crust.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, signaling that the bread is fully cooked.
- Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This helps the bread set properly and enhances flavor.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for optimal flavor and natural sweetness.
- For an extra boost of maple flavor, drizzle warm slices with a touch of maple syrup before serving.
- Store the banana bread covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week to maintain freshness.
- This bread is freezer-friendly: wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian