The Best Banana Bread

Preheat an oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9-by-5-inch (23-by-13-cm) loaf pan.

In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

In another bowl, combine the bananas, sour cream and vanilla extract. Stir to combine. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the flat beater, beat together the butter and brown sugar on medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Add the eggs and beat until smooth. Add the banana mixture to the bowl and beat just until combined. Add the flour mixture to the bowl and beat, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, until just combined; the batter should remain slightly lumpy. Fold in the chocolate chips or walnuts.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan (it should be no more than two-thirds full). Bake until the loaf is dark golden brown and dry to the touch and the edges pull away from the sides of the pan, 55 to 60 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean. Let the bread rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn the loaf out onto a wire rack and let cool completely. Cut into thick slices to serve. Serves 8.

Williams Sonoma Test Kitchen