Banana Bread

I can't believe I've never posted this recipe on this blog! It's a basic banana bread recipe, super easy with super delicious results.  For me, the walnuts are a must, but you can leave them out if you prefer to.  Enjoy!

Yields one large loaf

Ingredients:

-1 cup sugar

-1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

-2 large eggs

-1 tsp vanilla extract

-3 very ripe bananas

-1/2 cup buttermilk

-1/2 tsp salt

-1 tsp baking soda

-2 cups flour

-1/2 cup chopped walnuts, optional

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Coat the bottom and sides of a large loaf pan with baking spray (the one with butter and flour).  Set aside.

In your mixer's bowl, cream the sugar and butter.  Once smooth, add the eggs, one at a time, then the vanilla.  Peel the bananas and add chunks of it into the running mixer. Stir in the buttermilk, salt, baking soda and flour, half of cup at a time.  Add the walnuts.

Pour mixture into prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 60 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Cool in pan over wire rack for 10-15 minutes.  Carefully, remove bread from pan and place on wire rack to cool completely.  Slice and enjoy!