CLASSIC, OLD-FASHIONED BANANA NUT BREAD

Thursday, August 15, 2019

CLASSIC, OLD-FASHIONED BANANA NUT BREAD

I found this recipe on the Simply Recipes site and it is by far the best and easiest Banana Bread I have ever made. Very moist and flavorful and comes together in minutes, and all in one bowl! On their site they claim it is their most popular recipe for over 10 years. No mixer required, which is good since I don't own one here in Spiddal, although that may soon change. I have my eye on a beautiful standing mixer in Galway. But back to the recipe...

BANANA BREAD

Ingredients:

2 to 3 very ripe bananas, about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups, mashed

1/3 cup melted butter

1 tsp. Baking soda

Pinch of salt

3/4 cup sugar, more or less depending on how sweet you like it (I used 1/2 cup white and 1/4 cup brown)

1 large egg, beaten

1 tsp. Vanilla

1 1/2 cups white flour

1 cup chopped walnuts, optional

Demerara brown sugar and cinnamon for topping, also optional

Batter ready to pop into the oven.

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F/175C. Add butter to a 4x8 inch loaf pan and melt the butter in the oven. In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until completely smooth. Stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas. Mix in baking soda and salt. Stir in sugar. Push this mixture to one side of the bowl. Add the egg and beat lightly. Mix beaten egg with other ingredients. Add vanilla and finally mix in flour. The original recipe does not call for nuts, but I added 1 cup chopped walnuts. Add them now, if using.

Liberally butter your baking pan and add the batter. I also topped the batter with about 2 Tbsp. of Demerara brown sugar and a healthy sprinkling of cinnamon, which the original recipe did not call for.

Bake for 50 to 60 minutes until top is golden brown and inserted toothpick comes out clean. Remove from the oven and cool in pan on a rack for 15 minutes.