Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and oil an 8.5"x 4.5" loaf pan.
Put all of the dry ingredients, except brown sugar (2 cups flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder,1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt) in a large mixing bowl and give it a little stir.
Place 3 very ripe bananas and 2/3 cup of brown sugar in a medium bowl and mash with a fork.
Add 1/2 apple sauce, 1/3 cup oil, 1/4 cup plant-based milk, and 1 tsp vanilla to the mashed bananas and stir until it is all mixed well.
Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and stir until all of the flour is incorporated, but don't over stir. (Add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips or chopped nuts if desired).
Use a rubber spatula to scrape the thick batter into the greased loaf pan and smooth out. (Top with chocolate chips, nuts, or banana slices if desired).
Bake at 350°F (177°C)° for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
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Notes
Use very ripe bananas. You have to use bananas that have brown spots or have turned completely brown. These bananas are softer and sweeter than green and yellow bananas.
Measure your ingredients carefully. Baking is a science and small variations in measurements can change the final outcome.
Spoon your flour into the measuring cup and level it off with the back of a butter knife. Don't scoop the flour out of the bag with a measuring cup. This will pack the flour down too much resulting in too much flour.
Don't over stir the batter. You just want to stir it enough so you don't see any dry flour. Over mixing it will cause it to be chewier.
Bake for at least 50 minutes at 350°F.Baking at a higher temperature will cook the outside faster than the inside resulting in an undercooked loaf in the center.
Allow it to cool for about 15 minutes before slicing.