Banana Bread

2 Cups all-purpose flour

3/4 Cup sugar

3/4 Teaspoon baking soda

1/2 Teaspoon salt

1 1/4 Cups walnuts, chopped coarse (about 1 cup) optional

3 Very ripe, soft, darkly speckled large bananas, mashed well

1/4 Cup plain yogurt

2 Large eggs, beaten lightly

6 Tablespoons butter, melted and cooled

1 Teaspoon vanilla extract

  • Adjust oven rack to lower middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees.  

  • Grease bottom only of regular loaf pan, or grease and flour bottom and sides of nonstick 9-by-5-by-3 inch loaf pan; set aside.  

  • Combine first five ingredients together in large bowl; set aside.

  • Mix mashed bananas, yogurt, eggs, butter, and vanilla with wooden spoon in medium bowl.

  • Lightly fold banana mixture into dry ingredients with rubber spatula until just combined and bater looks thick and chunky.

  • Scrape batter into prepared loaf pan.

  • Bake until loaf is golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 55 minutes.  (I use a stone loaf pan, I do not grease and it bakes for 50 minutes)

  • Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack. 

  • Serve warm or at room temperature.