Super Moist Banana Bread Recipe

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- ½ cup plain or Greek yogurt (low fat is fine, or substitute with buttermilk or sour cream)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup (1 stick) butter, very soft (salted or unsalted)

- ¾ cup brown sugar (or white sugar)
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt (omit if using salted butter)

1. Preheat the oven: Heat oven to 350°F (176.7°C). Crumple a piece of parchment paper into a ball, smooth it out, and use it to line a 9×5 inch (23×13 cm) or 4×8 inch (20×10 cm) loaf pan. Alternatively, spray the loaf pan with oil or line with aluminum foil.
2. Prepare the banana mixture (Bowl #1): In a small bowl, mix together the mashed bananas, yogurt, and baking soda with a fork or spoon. Set aside.

1. Prepare the dry ingredients (Bowl #2): In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt (if using). Set aside.
2. Cream butter and sugar (Bowl #3): In a large bowl, use a spoon or whisk to combine the softened butter and brown sugar until well mixed. Add the egg and vanilla, whisking until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Stir in the banana-yogurt mixture and mix until well combined.
3. Combine the mixtures: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients in three parts, gently mixing between each addition. Be careful not to overmix the batter; mix just until the flour is incorporated. The batter will be thick. Stir in any optional add-ins, like chocolate chips or nuts, at this stage.

Bake: Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. If using a smaller loaf pan, baking may take slightly longer. Start checking the bread after 50-55 minutes, and if the center is still wet, continue baking for an additional 3-5 minutes and test again.
Cool and serve: Once baked, remove the loaf pan from the oven and let the bread cool for 10 minutes in the pan. Lift the banana bread out of the pan using the parchment paper and transfer it to a cooling rack to cool further. Slice and enjoy warm!

- Pair with a cup of tea or coffee for a quick snack.
- Add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup for extra sweetness.
- Serve alongside fresh fruit or yogurt for a light dessert.

- Use very ripe bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your banana bread will be.
- Don’t overmix the batter: Overmixing can result in a denser texture. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.

- Room temperature ingredients: Ensure your egg is at room temperature for a smoother batter. If in a hurry, run the egg under warm water for a minute.
- Add-ins: Customize the banana bread by adding chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit for extra texture and flavor.
- Test for doneness: Use a toothpick to check if the bread is done. It should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.

- Bananas are rich in potassium and fiber, promoting heart health and digestion.
- Yogurt or sour cream adds protein and calcium, making the bread more nutritious and moist.
- Eggs provide essential protein and vitamins like B12 and D.

Brown sugar adds a richer flavor than white sugar, while providing a slightly lower glycemic index.
Optional nuts or chocolate chips can add healthy fats and antioxidants.