Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Begin your journey to creating amazing banana bread by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your loaf bakes evenly, resulting in a beautifully golden-brown crust that will tempt both your taste buds and those of your family members or guests.

Step 2: Prepare Your Loaf Pan

To avoid any sticky situations, grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray. For additional ease, you can also line the pan with parchment paper. This way, once the banana bread has cooled, you can effortlessly lift it out of the pan.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, take the ripe bananas and mash them with a fork until they are mostly smooth. The sweetness and flavor from ripe bananas are essential in this recipe. Next, add in the granulated sugar, sour cream, vegetable oil or melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk the ingredients together until everything is well combined. The addition of sour cream offers a richness that guarantees your banana bread will be delightfully moist.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients while stirring gently. Mix until just combined; this is important to avoid overmixing, which can lead to dense bread. If you’re feeling adventurous, this is the time to fold in chopped walnuts or chocolate chips!

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter carefully into your prepared loaf pan, smoothing out the top with a spatula if needed. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Keep an eye on it! You can check for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center of the loaf; it should come out clean. Once baked to perfection, let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.