1 1/2 cups (195 grams) all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 medium bananas, heavily speckled or even black bananas are best (about 1 1/2 cups mashed)

8 tablespoons (115 grams or 1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

3/4 cup (150 grams) packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup (50 grams) walnuts or pecans, toasted and chopped, optional

1/2 cup chocolate chips, optional

PREPARE BATTER Center a rack in the oven and heat to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour an 8 1/2-inch-by-4 1/2-inch loaf pan.

Place the pan on an insulated baking sheet or on two regular baking sheets stacked on top of the other.

Whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together, set aside. In the bottom of a medium bowl, mash bananas into a chunky paste. Whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla into the bananas until blended.

Switch to a large rubber spatula. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl then add the dry ingredients in 3 parts, stirring gently until they disappear and the batter is smooth. Stir in nuts and/or chocolate chips.

TO FINISH Pour batter into the pan and smooth the top. Bake 55 to 75 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.

After 30 minutes in the oven, check the bread for color. If it looks like it is browning too quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil.

Enjoy