Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups mashed very ripe bananas (about 3 large)
  • 1 cup full-fat cottage cheese
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your 9x5-inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang.
  2. In a blender, combine the mashed bananas, cottage cheese, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Blend until completely smooth and homogenous—ensure there are zero lumps of cottage cheese.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
  4. Pour the smooth wet mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients. Gently fold using a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix; a few streaks of flour are acceptable.
  5. If using, gently fold in the chopped nuts or chocolate chips.
  6. Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes.
  7. The loaf is ready when a wooden skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean or with only moist crumbs attached. If the top browns too quickly, loosely tent it with foil after about 40 minutes.
  8. Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then, carefully lift it out using the parchment overhang and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.