Spiced Banana Bread

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven and loaf pan
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray, then dust lightly with flour, tapping out any excess.
2. Mix wet ingredients
   In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth. Stir in the melted butter, sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
3. Combine dry ingredients
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger until evenly mixed and no lumps remain.
4. Make the batter
   Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix - a few small lumps are fine. If using walnuts, gently fold them in now.
5. Bake the bread
   Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs.
6. Cool and serve
   Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove from the pan and let cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. For the best flavor, wrap in plastic wrap and let sit overnight before serving.