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Cottage Cheese Banana Bread – Moist, Protein-Packed, and Easy

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 3 medium ripe bananas (about 1 1/4 cups mashed), very spotty
  • 3/4 cup full-fat cottage cheese (small curd preferred)
  • 1/3 cup melted butter (or neutral oil)
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature if possible
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional but lovely)
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Method
 

  1. Prep the pan and oven. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line it with a parchment sling for easy removal.
  2. Mash the bananas. In a large bowl, mash the bananas until mostly smooth with a few small lumps. You should have about 1 1/4 cups.
  3. Blend in the wet ingredients. Add the cottage cheese, melted butter, eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla. Whisk until well combined. Small cottage cheese specks are fine; they’ll melt into the batter as it bakes.
  4. Whisk the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until evenly mixed.
  5. Combine wet and dry. Add the dry mixture to the banana mixture. Stir gently with a spatula just until no dry flour remains. Do not overmix.
  6. Add mix-ins (optional). Fold in nuts or chocolate chips, if using. Keep it to about 1 cup total so the loaf stays tender.
  7. Fill the pan. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. If you like, sprinkle a few extra nuts or chips on top.
  8. Bake. Bake for 55–70 minutes, depending on your oven. The loaf is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
  9. Cool properly. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes. Lift it out and cool on a rack for at least 1 hour before slicing. This helps set the crumb.
  10. Slice and enjoy. Use a serrated knife for neat slices. Serve plain or with a thin smear of butter or peanut butter.