Ingredients:

  • 2 cups (250g) All-Purpose Flour, plus more for dusting
  • 1 teaspoon (5g) Baking Soda
  • ½ teaspoon (3g) Ground Cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon (1.5g) Salt
  • ½ cup (115g/1 stick) Unsalted Butter, softened
  • ¾ cup (150g) Granulated Sugar
  • 2 Large Eggs
  • 1 teaspoon (5ml) Vanilla Extract
  • 1 teaspoon (5ml) Banana Extract
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) Banana Liqueur (optional)
  • 1 cup (about 3 medium) (225g) Mashed Overripe Bananas
  • ½ cup (120ml) Buttermilk
  • ½ cup (75g) Chopped Walnuts or Pecans (optional)
  • ½ cup (75g) Chocolate Chips (Milk, Dark, or Semi-Sweet) (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your loaf pan.
  2. Whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl.
  3. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy using an electric mixer.
  4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract, banana extract, and banana liqueur (if using).
  5. Fold in the mashed bananas.
  6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
  7. Fold in the chopped nuts or chocolate chips, if using.
  8. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
  9. Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  10. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.