Banana Walnut Loaf

Ripe bananas do all the work here. The walnuts toast as the loaf bakes, giving every slice a warm, nutty crunch.

Ingredients

• 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp fine salt
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts, plus extra for topping

Steps

1. Heat oven to 350F. Grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
2. Whisk bananas, butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Fold in flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
4. Stir in walnuts, then pour into the pan. Sprinkle extra walnuts on top.
5. Bake 50 to 60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Cool 15 minutes in the pan, then finish cooling on a rack.

Notes

• If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil after 40 minutes.
• For extra depth, add 1/4 tsp nutmeg.