Banana Bread

Who doesn’t love a banana bread; it’s comforting and versatile and a wonderful way to use overly ripe bananas. Most recipes rely on baking soda or baking powder to create a rise and are thus considered quick breads.

The flavor and texture lay somewhere between a traditional bread and a cake; sweet and soft, but sturdy enough to slice. In general, the riper the bananas, the more flavorful and moist the bread.

Banana bread comes is many varieties, like include nuts (like walnuts or pecans), chocolate chips, cinnamon, or cardamom. There are also healthier versions using pumpkin puree, whole wheat flour, or Greek yogurt or buttermilk.

Storage: It actually gets better a day after baking, once the flavors have had time to meld. You can freeze banana bread slices too—perfect for a grab-and-go snack later.