• 3 bananas , very ripe
• 1/3 c butter, melted
• 3/4 c sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 t vanilla extract
• 1 t baking soda
• 1/4 t salt
• 1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
• 1/2 c walnuts, chopped (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

In a large bowl, smash bananas (using a potato masher works very well). Mix butter into the mashed bananas and add the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour and mix thoroughly. If desired, add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or chocolate chips to the batter and mix to distribute evenly.

Spray a 4×8 inch loaf pan or 4-6 mini-loaf pans with non-stick spray. Place the batter in the pan(s), filling no more than 2/3 of the pan(s). If baking mini loaves, place them side-by-side on a baking tray. Bake for 1 hour for a full loaf or 45 minutes for mini loaves or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Allow to cool. Remove from pan(s) and slice to serve.