Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and optional spices.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add mashed bananas, eggs, and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
Combine: Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
Add Nuts: Fold in chopped nuts if using.
Bake: Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
