Ina Garten's Banana Bread Recipe

We're always looking for ways we can be less wasteful so when we saw a set of bananas that needed to go, we knew exactly what to do with them - make Ina's Banana Bread!

This recipe took about 10 minutes to assemble and an hour to bake - it's perfectly easy for anyone, no matter how much experience you have in the kitchen. If you're a newbie, this would impress anyone at the office for the holidays!

We subbed out the buttermilk for sour cream because well, we didn't plan ahead and didn't have buttermilk on hand - but it worked perfectly! We also tripled the vanilla amount because we're a HUGE vanilla family - it wasn't overpowering, it ended up being the perfect flavor. If you love a little more vanilla, try adding an additional 1 or 2 teaspoons - you won't be disappointed.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, divided

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup toasted pecans, chopped

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt

• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

• 1/4 cup buttermilk (may substitute sour cream or yogurt)

• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (we used this one)

• 4 soft, overripe mashed medium bananas (about 1 1/2 cups)