Banana walnut bread

• Ingredients
• 1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 ripe bananas, peeled, and mashed with a fork 
• 1/2 cup toasted walnut pieces

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Lightly brush a 9 by 5 by 3-inch loaf pan with butter. Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt into a bowl, set aside. 

In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or with an electric hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually pour egg and vanilla into the butter while mixing until incorporated. Add the bananas (the mixture will appear to be curdled, so don't worry), and remove the bowl from the mixer.

With a rubber spatula, mix in the flour mixture until incorporated. Fold in the nuts and transfer the batter to the prepared pan. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. Cool the bread in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Turn the bread out of the pan and let cool completely on the rack. The banana bread is best if served with vanilla ice-cream.