Name: Classic Banana Bread
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 75 min
Ingredients: 2 cups all purpose flour; ¾ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 cup granulated white sugar; ¼ cup (½ stick) butter, (at room temperature); 2 large eggs; 1½ cups mashed ripe banana ((about 3 bananas)); ⅓ cup plain low fat yogurt; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Classic Banana Bread

This Classic Banana Bread recipe has great texture and flavor, and it’s lower in fat than most banana bread recipes.

loaf of banana bread sliced

Some of my friends have called this the best banana bread they’ve ever tasted. Others have told me it’s the only banana bread recipe they’ll ever make. I guess it’s that good! We enjoy a lot of banana bread recipes (the Kona Inn Banana Bread is my all-time favorite), but this one is definitely a good choice for making a lower fat, lower calorie version.

ingredients displayed for classic banana bread

Ingredients needed:

all purpose flour
baking soda
salt
sugar
butter
eggs
3 ripe bananas
plain low fat yogurt
vanilla extract

overhead shot of loaf of banana bread

How to make Classic Banana Bread:

You’ll need an 8×5-inch loaf pan. I like to have a couple on hand all the time in case I want to double the recipe when I make banana bread. You’ll want two loaves of this bread anyway, so plan ahead!

This is a typical quick bread recipe where you combine the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another. The best way to combine them is to stir the dry ingredients into the wet and stir only until combined. Don’t over-stir because that can result in a tougher texture that isn’t as good.

classic banana bread loaf sliced

See that crack down the middle? That’s normal. The crack is what happens when the top of the banana bread is finished cooking but the loaf beneath it still has some cooking and rising to do. It results in a crack on top!

slices of banana bread stacked

This classic banana bread slices up so nicely. If you don’t want to eat it all in one day, pop those slices into zip baggies and put them in the freezer. It’s a fabulous way to be able to enjoy your banana bread later, and you won’t be tempted to eat too much of it sitting on your counter.

Does Banana Bread Freeze Well?

Yes! I suggest baking more than one loaf since everyone gobbles up this bread. Just double the recipe. Cool the extra loaf completely. Wrap it in foil, and then drop the foil-wrapped bread in a large freezer zip bag and keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost to enjoy later!

slice of banana bread on white plate with melting butter

Banana bread is pretty awesome when it’s served a little bit warm with butter spread on top. Try making some honey butter too. Enjoy!

If you happen to be following the Weight Watchers WW plan, you will find a link to the WW Points on the recipe card below.

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Classic Banana Bread

By RecipeGirl.com (adapted slightly from Cooking Light)

This banana bread recipe is a family favorite. It's very moist and flavorful, and it turns out perfect every time.

Prep: 15

Cook: 1

Total: 1 15

Servings: 12 servings

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Ingredients

▢ 2 cups all purpose flour
▢ ¾ teaspoon baking soda
▢ ½ teaspoon salt
▢ 1 cup granulated white sugar
▢ ¼ cup (½ stick) butter, at room temperature
▢ 2 large eggs
▢ 1½ cups mashed ripe banana (about 3 bananas)
▢ ⅓ cup plain low fat yogurt
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray an 8x5-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt.
In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the sugar and butter at medium speed until well blended (about 1 minute). Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the banana, yogurt, and vanilla; beat until blended. Stir in the flour mixture- just until incorporated (don't over-mix).
Spoon the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes in the pan on a wire rack. Remove from the pan and cool completely on wire rack.

Notes

If you come up short on mashed banana, add unsweetened applesauce to make up the difference. It will make your bread nice and moist, and it won't add apple flavor to the bread.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice, Calories: 210kcal, Carbohydrates: 37g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 42mg, Sodium: 218mg, Potassium: 119mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 20g, Vitamin A: 184IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 23mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Banana bread in a pan