Best Banana Bread

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. 2
   1. With a stand or hand mixer, cream butter (or coconut oil) and sugar. Add vanilla and eggs (or egg substitute) and mix well.
3. 3
   2. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder and cinnamon.
4. 4
   3. In a liquid measuring cup, mash bananas. Add enough water to equal 1 3/4 cup total volume.
5. 5
   4. Gently stir flour mixture into butter mixture. Before the whole batter has come together, add banana mixture and stir again gently. Add optional nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit and stir just until all ingredients are combined and distributed evenly.
6. 6
   5. Pour into one large or two mini loaf pans.
7. 7
   6. Bake for 55-60 minutes (45 for mini loaves).
8. 8
   7. Remove from oven and cool for five minutes in the pan. Use a knife to loosen the edges from the pan and transfer from pan to a cooling rack. Allow to cool completely.
9. 9
   8. Store in a bread box. Can be wrapped in plastic and foil and frozen for later use.