A wave of home baking is sweeping across Nairobi and beyond, with banana bread taking centre stage.

Once seen as a simple way to use overripe bananas, it is now celebrated as a comforting treat that brings families and friends together with its warm, sweet aroma.

“It’s more than dessert. It’s comfort in every slice,” one city resident told The Eastleigh Voice.

Ingredients:

3 to 4 ripe bananas, mashed

1/3 cup melted butter

1 cup sugar (reduce for a lighter loaf)

1 beaten egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

Pinch of salt

Optional: nuts, chocolate chips, or a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flavour.

Steps to follow:

1. Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F) and grease your baking pan.

2. In a bowl, mash the bananas until smooth, then mix in the melted butter, sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract.

3. Sprinkle in the baking soda and salt, then gently fold in the flour until just combined; avoid overmixing.

4. Fold in any nuts or chocolate chips if using, then pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.

5. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.

6. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy!