Best Banana Bread

Directions

1. 1
   Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 325F.
2. 2
   Lightly mist a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan with vegetable oil spray and dust it with flour.
3. 3
   Shake out the excess flour.
4. 4
   Set the pan aside.
5. 5
   Place the flour, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl and stir with a fork to combine.
6. 6
   Add the sugar and stir to combine.
7. 7
   Add the oil, buttermilk, eggs, and mashed banana and stir until the mixture is smooth but just blended, 50 to 60 strokes.
8. 8
   Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
9. 9
   Bake the bread until it is golden brown and the top springs back when gently pressed with a finger, 1 hour and 15 to 20 minutes.
10. 10
    Transfer the loaf pan to a wire rack and let the bread cool for about 15 minutes.
11. 11
    Run a knife around the edges of the bread and give the pan a few good shakes to loosen the bread.
12. 12
    Invert the bread onto a wire rack, then invert it again onto another wire rack, so that it cools right side up.
13. 13
    Let the loaf continue to cool for about 1 hour.
14. 14
    WANT SOME MUFFIN MAGIC?
15. 15
    Turn this recipe into a dozen muffins by dividing the batter into twelve muffin cups that have been lined with paper liners or lightly greased and floured.
16. 16
    Bake the muffins at 350F until they are lightly browned around the edges and spring back when you gently press on one, 20 to 25 minutes.