# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 - ½ teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
04 - ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
05 - ¾ cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
08 - 3 medium ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 ¼ cups)
→ Mix-ins
09 - 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
→ Optional
10 - ½ cup chopped toasted walnuts or pecans
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly distributed.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and sugar until smooth, then beat in eggs one at a time. Stir in vanilla extract and mashed bananas until thoroughly combined.
04 - Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture gently with a spatula until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
05 - Gently fold in chocolate chips and nuts if using.
06 - Pour batter into prepared loaf pan, smooth the surface, and optionally sprinkle remaining chocolate chips on top.
07 - Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
08 - Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack until fully cooled before slicing.
