Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated. Add vanilla extract and mix well.
Mash Bananas: In a separate bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork. Add the mashed bananas to the wet mixture and mix until smooth.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Sour Cream: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture, alternating with sour cream. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Fold in Nuts (Optional): Gently fold in chopped nuts if using.
Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool: Allow the banana bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy!
