Chocolate chip banana bread

Method

1. 01
   Step 1Brown the butter5 min

   Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until it turns golden brown and smells nutty. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

   Note

   Watch carefully — browned butter can burn quickly. Look for a deep amber color and a toasty aroma.

   Butter
2. 02
   Step 2Mash the bananas

   Peel and mash the overripe bananas in a mixing bowl with a fork until mostly smooth.

   Note

   The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be. Look for heavily spotted or black peels.

   Banana
3. 03
   Step 3Mix wet ingredients

   Add the mashed bananas, egg, brown sugar, vanilla extract, milk, and salt to a large mixing bowl. Pour in the cooled browned butter and whisk until well combined.

   Note

   Make sure the browned butter has cooled enough that it won't scramble the egg.

   BananaEggBrown sugarVanilla extractbaking sodaSaltButter
4. 04
   Step 4Add dry ingredients

   Add the flour and chocolate chips to the wet mixture. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined — do not overmix.

   Note

   Overmixing develops gluten and makes the bread tough. Stop as soon as no dry flour is visible.

   All-purpose flourChocolate chips
5. 05
   Step 5Bake the loaf50 min

   Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan. Optionally, place banana slices on top. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 50-60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

   Note

   If the top is browning too quickly, tent the pan loosely with foil halfway through baking.

6. 06
   Step 6Cool and serve10 min

   Remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

   Note

   Slicing while still warm will make the bread gummy. For cleanest slices, wait until fully cooled.