​🍌 Gourmet Blueberry Banana Bread

 

​Yields: 1 Loaf | Prep time: 15 mins | Bake time: 50–60 mins

​Ingredients

​Bananas: 3 large ripe bananas (heavily spotted for maximum sweetness), mashed.
​Blueberries: 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (if using frozen, do not thaw).
​Flour: 2 cups all-purpose flour.
​Sweetener: ¾ cup granulated sugar (reduce to ½ cup for a less sweet profile).
​Fat: ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled (or neutral vegetable oil).
​Eggs: 2 large eggs, room temperature.
​Aromatics: 1 tsp pure vanilla extract & ½ tsp ground cinnamon.
​Leavening & Seasoning: 1 tsp baking soda & ½ tsp fine sea salt.

​Chef's Instructions

​Preparation: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Lightly grease an 8.5 x 4.5-inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray. For easy removal, line the bottom with parchment paper.
​Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas until smooth. Whisk in the melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is fully emulsified.
​Sift Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
​Pro Tip: Toss your blueberries in 1 tablespoon of this flour mixture. This "dusting" ensures the berries stay suspended in the batter rather than sinking to the bottom.
​The Folding Method: Gently add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Use a spatula to fold until just combined. Do not overmix, as this develops gluten and makes the bread tough. Gently fold in the floured blueberries last.
​Bake: Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes. The bread is done when a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
​Cooling: Allow the bread to rest in the pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This allows the internal structure to set, ensuring a perfect slice.
​Professional Tips for Success
​Texture: If you like a bit of crunch, sprinkle a tablespoon of demerara sugar or chopped walnuts on top before putting it in the oven.
​Moisture: Ensure your bananas are very soft. The more sugar spots on the peel, the more moisture and flavor they provide to the crumb.