I don’t know if it’s just me, or has quarantine turned you into a chef? I have cooked and baked more than I have in such a long time, and I’m not complaining about it. I also decided to give in to the trend of baking banana bread, so I found a recipe and went to work. This is such an easy banana bread to make, courtesy of Celebrating Sweets!

Here’s what makes this banana bread the best:

• This banana bread is absolutely loaded with bananas. The recipe calls for 3 to 4 overripe bananas to make the bread moist, sweet, and have an undeniable banana flavor.
• The only sugar used in this recipe is brown sugar. It is in both the batter and on top of the bread before it is baked. It gives it a deeper flavor and almost caramel-like sweetness.
• Banana and vanilla is a match made in heaven! Adding vanilla extract to the bread gives it a hint of vanilla that pairs perfectly with the bananas.
• You can keep it plain if you want, or you can mix in all the fixins like chocolate chips, walnuts, or even cinnamon.

Here’s the recipe, so you can make it during this quarantine too!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted and cooled slightly)
• 2/3 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed (make sure it is fresh and soft)
• 2 large eggs
• 2 scant cups mashed overripe bananas (about 3 to 4 bananas)
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup brown sugar (for topping)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350℉.
2. In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and ⅔ cup brown sugar until well combined. Add eggs, mashed banana, and vanilla, whisking until combined.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Using a rubber spatula, lightly stir the batter until no streaks of flour remain. Be careful to not over mix.
4. Grease a 9×9 square baking pan and add the batter to the pan. Smooth into an even layer. Sprinkle the top of the batter with 1/4 cup (or more) brown sugar. Bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating once during the bake time. Wait for it to cool, cut, then enjoy!