Aug

27

2009

Banana Bread

Breads / Breakfast & Brunch  Posted by / 35 comments

Banana bread 5

If you’re anything like me, you need a few good banana bread recipes. I’ve never been able to accurately predict my family’s banana consumption: one week we go through ‘em all; the next, they sit untouched, rotting in the bowl. Luckily there’s a delicious solution…


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This irresistibly moist banana bread is my go-to recipe. It’s phenomenal right out of the oven, and yummy all over again when you toast it for breakfast the next day. It’s got a mild yet distinctive banana flavor, a tender crumb, and a deliciously crisp crust. I’m telling you, no sooner than I pull this out of the oven does everyone start clamoring for a slice. You’ll notice that it doesn’t rise as much as other quick breads or crack in the center; that’s because it has less flour, which makes it more of a banana bread-banana cake hybrid.

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Personally, I like my banana bread chock full of extras – nuts, coconut, you name it. But if I want to make everyone happy - especially my daughter who feels strongly that such things do not belong in her banana bread – then I make this. It’s perfect plain, but feel free to add some toasted chopped nuts if you like.

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Banana Bread
Printable Recipe

Makes one 9 x 5 inch loaf

Ingredients

1 ¾ cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
¾ cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (from 2-3 bananas)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour 9x5x2½ -inch metal loaf pan. Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.

2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, mix the melted butter and sugar until blended. Add the eggs, mashed bananas, lemon juice and vanilla extract and mix well.

3. On low speed, stir in flour mixture until just incorporated. Do not over mix. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and bake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 45 - 50 minutes. Let cool in pan about 10 minutes, then turn out on wire rack to cool completely.