1cup(2 sticks) unsalted butter (softened) OR vegetable shortening
2cupsfirmly packed brown sugar
½cupgranulated sugar
3-4ripe bananasmashed
4large eggsroom temperature
2teaspoonspure vanilla extract
1 ½cupsfull-fat sour cream or full-fat buttermilk
4cupsall-purpose flour
1teaspoonsalt
1 ½teaspoonsbaking powder
1 ½teaspoonsbaking soda
½-3/4cupchopped pecansoptional
Instructions
Banana Bread
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray three 9 x 5- inch bread loaf pans with cooking spray or line with paper liners. (This makes cleanup very easy)
In a large mixing bowl, using either a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer, cream the butter with the brown sugar and sugar. Add the bananas and incorporate.
Add the eggs, one at a time, incorporating well. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula occasionally.
Add vanilla extract and sour cream to the mixture and combine. Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, stirring to combine. Once mixed thoroughly, fold in the pecans.
Divide the batter evenly into the prepared baking pans. Place the baking pans on a half sheet pan, lined with parchment paper. (This helps catch any dropped batter and helps easily rotate pans.)
Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick when inserted comes out clean. Rotate your breads once through the baking process, so they bake evenly. Let cool on baking racks.
Notes
Use either ripe bananas or ones that have been previously frozen.Thaw frozen ones on the kitchen counter partially or fully. Discard any excess liquid.Baking tipsAll ovens are different! Be sure and use an oven thermometer to monitor your oven temperature.Rotate your breads once through the baking process, so they bake evenly. Be VERY careful not to bang the pans around or the cakes will fall. Let cool on baking racks.