Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your bread bakes evenly.
Grease your loaf pan with a little butter or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened salted butter and light brown sugar. Using a hand mixer or a whisk, cream them together until light and fluffy.
Add the mashed ripe bananas, honey, and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix until well combined.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a rubber spatula. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.
If you’re using walnuts, gently fold them into the batter for added texture and flavor.
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Once baked, remove the banana bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
