Easy Sourdough Banana Bread

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• ¾ cup light brown sugar or dark brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups mashed banana (about 4 large)
• ¼ cup warm milk
• ½ cup sourdough starter discard
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ cup chopped nuts (optional)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray or butter.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the butter and sugar and beat until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Alternatively, place the ingredient in a large mixing bowl and use a hand mixer to combine.
3. Add the eggs to the mixing bowl one at a time, fully incorporating the first one before adding the second.
4. Add the mashed bananas, milk, sourdough starter, and vanilla extract to the butter/sugar/egg mixture and mix until well-combined.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
6. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until the flour is fully incorporated.
7. Fold the chopped nuts into the batter, if using.
8. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 45–60 minutes depending on your oven.
9. Remove the banana bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 15 minutes before carefully transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.