Take your ripe bananas and peel them. Place them in a bowl. Use a fork to mash until smooth. A few small lumps are fine. This gives texture to your banana bread.

In another bowl, mix softened butter and sugar. Stir until light and creamy. This step helps create a soft texture. Take your time and mix well for best results.

Crack eggs into the butter mixture. Add vanilla extract. Mix gently until smooth. Do not overbeat. This keeps the batter light and fluffy.

Now add sour cream and mashed bananas. Mix everything slowly. The batter will look creamy and slightly thick. This is perfect for moist banana bread.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir well so everything is evenly mixed. This helps the bread rise evenly while baking.

Slowly add dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix. Overmixing makes the bread dense and heavy.

If you like crunch, add chopped walnuts. Fold them into the batter. This step is optional but adds great texture and flavor.

Grease your loaf pan with butter or oil. You can also use parchment paper. This helps remove the bread easily after baking.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Spread evenly using a spoon. Make sure the top is smooth for even baking.

Place the pan in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C). Bake for about 60 minutes. Check with a toothpick. If it comes out clean, it is ready.

Remove from oven and let it cool for 10 minutes. Then transfer to a rack. Let it cool fully before slicing. This keeps the slices neat.