Banana Bread (dais's) Recipe

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and line a 5 oz loaf-size or small loaf pan (approximately 4 x 2.5 inches / makes about one 5 oz serving) with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal. If using a small ramekin instead, grease it well.

Mash the ripe bananas with a fork in a medium bowl until mostly smooth with a few small lumps remaining (you should have about 1 cup mashed).

In the bowl with mashed bananas, whisk in the large egg until combined.

Add the melted butter, milk (or buttermilk), and vanilla extract. Whisk gently until evenly combined. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, packed light brown sugar, baking soda, salt, and optional ground cinnamon until evenly distributed.

Pour the dry ingredients into the wet banana mixture. Using a rubber spatula, fold the mixture just until the flour disappears and the batter is uniform. Do not overmix — a few small streaks of flour are okay.

If using nuts, fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans (about 2 tablespoons) gently into the batter.

Spoon the batter into the prepared small loaf pan or ramekin and smooth the top. Sprinkle the top with the optional turbinado sugar for a crunchy crust.

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 22–28 minutes for a very small loaf (timing will vary by pan); for a 5 oz-size finished portion check at 20 minutes. The banana bread is done when the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.

If the top is browning too quickly, tent loosely with aluminum foil for the remaining bake time.

Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bread to cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10–15 minutes.

Use the parchment overhang to lift the loaf out of the pan and transfer to the rack to cool another 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature. Store any leftover wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.