Bananas- When is it to ripe to use in baking really?

[nbermas]

I get these often and my husband loves banana bread and I have 3 that just look yucky but smell sweet so do I or don't?

[Life of Pie]

Even if they are completely black they are still good. If there is mold growing at the stem then it is too late, but that takes awhile.

[nbermas]

Thanks just used them and made a great blueberry and banana bread for my husband. It turned out wonderful.

[alkapal]

completely black bananas have a funky flavor that cannot be salvaged by transforming them into banana bread, imo.

[todao]

Ditto, alkapal ... when they're so ripe that they begin to develop a fermented flavor akin to banana wine (IKKKKK) they're past usefulness IMHO.

[danhole]

When they start to get spots, and looking yucky, that is the perfect time to bake with them! That is when they are the sweetest. Not if they are totally black, though.