Sourdough Banana Bread

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups over-ripe bananas (mashed (typically 3 large bananas for me) )
• ½ cup sourdough discard
• ⅔ cup light or dark brown sugar (firmly packed )
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted )
• 2 large eggs (lightly beaten)
• 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
• ¼ cup whole milk
• 2 Tablespoons coarse or granulated sugar for sprinkling on top (optional)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and grease and flour the bottom of a 9x5 bread loaf pan (or line with a sling of parchment paper).

2. 2

   In a large mixing bowl, combine mashed bananas, sourdough discard, sugar, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract and stir very well.

3. 3

   In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using).

4. 4

   Add about half of the flour mixture to the banana mixture and gently fold together with a spatula. Once just combined, add milk, and stir until the milk is combined, then add the remaining flour mixture and stir until just combined. Do not over-mix or bread will be dense and rubbery.

5. 5

   Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and sprinkle the surface with sugar (if desired).

6. 6

   Transfer to center rack of oven and bake for 60-65 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs.

7. 7

   Allow bread to cool in pan for 15-20 minutes, then use a knife to gently loosen the sides from the pan and carefully turn out onto a cooling rack to cool completely.