Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare two 8x4 inch bread pans by greasing them with butter or lining them with parchment paper.

In a medium mixing bowl, peel and add ripe bananas. Mash until mostly smooth with a few small chunks remaining.

In a large mixing bowl, beat together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (3-5 minutes).

Add eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, blending well after each addition.

Gradually add flour, baking soda, and salt into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

Fold in the mashed bananas and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Once baked, let the banana bread cool in the pans for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.