Creating Banana Bread is straightforward and fun. Follow these simple steps for a guaranteed success:

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mash the Bananas: In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth.
3. Mix the Butter: Stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas until well combined.
4. Add the Baking Soda and Salt: Sprinkle the baking soda and salt into the mixture and mix well.
5. Incorporate Sugar: Add sugar to the banana mixture and stir until evenly distributed.
6. Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the beaten egg and vanilla extract until smooth.
7. Combine with Flour: Gently fold in the all-purpose flour until just mixed; do not over-mix.
8. Add Optional Ingredients: If you’re using nuts or chocolate chips, fold them in now.
9. Prepare the Pan: Grease a 4×8-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
10. Pour the Batter: Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
11. Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
12. Cool: Once baked, remove from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

With these easy steps, you’ll have a delicious loaf of Banana Bread ready to enjoy.