Accurate flour measurement is vital to avoid dryness—use a kitchen scale for best results or fluff the flour before spooning it into a measuring cup and leveling it with a knife. Ensure the butter is softened for optimal creaming; bring it to room temperature about an hour in advance or use a quick-softening method if needed. Room-temperature eggs help bind the batter uniformly. When mashing bananas, leave a few small chunks for delightful bursts of banana in each bite—using a fork or potato masher works best.