Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Mash the Bananas:
- In a mixing bowl, peel the ripe bananas and mash them using a fork or potato masher until smooth. You can leave some small lumps for added texture.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients:
- Add the melted butter to the mashed bananas and mix until well combined.
- Stir in the granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract, mixing until the ingredients are fully incorporated.
4. Sift Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Sifting helps to aerate the dry ingredients and ensures even distribution of the spices.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent a dense texture in the bread.
- If using, fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans. For an added Jamaican twist, consider adding a tablespoon of dark rum to enhance the flavors.
