Confirmed. The Best Banana Bread EVER!

That’s right. I have confirmed this at least 6 times. This recipe for Banana Bread is the best. This is not my own recipe; just one I have tried in search of a really good one. And, I found it with this one. The best quick breads and muffins have to be fresh, moist and flavorful.

Before I found this recipe, the one I liked best was at the bakery (King Arthur’s Pasties, here in Flint, Michigan) I worked at almost 20 years ago. After I moved on from there I would still special order a large loaf of Banana Bread without nuts, just for me. (I don’t like nuts by the way; unless, it’s peanuts covered in M & M’s or a Snickers…… I’m just sayin’)….. Ok, back to the subject of Banana Bread:  I really like it. I like it right out of the oven with a pat of butter smeared and melted all over the slice. And, I also like it when I pack it for lunch within a zip lock baggie and give it time to re-create some extra moisture. Not like a hot and sweaty slice of bread but, like a room temperature marination period. IT’S THEE BEST!….. And, don’t knock it till you try it. Again, I’m just sayin’.

So this is another recipe that is super easy. The only thing that you would have to be concerned with here is letting your bananas really ripen or finding some really already ripe ones. FYI, in case you ever need ripe banana’s in a hurry. Go to your neighborhood discount grocery (ex: Sav-a-lot, Aldi); they almost always have ripe, ripe bananas that are ready to be turned into banana bread or banana pudding. And, you can get them for almost nothing. Pick bananas that have brown spots and stems. Those will give the sweetest banana flavor.

Slice 3 to 4 medium to large bananas in a large bowl prior to mashing.

Banana Breads and other quick breads make really good thank you gifts. So, bake some of this good stuff up and send me a note on what you think. Then, put this recipe in your recipe box or binder and save for the next time you need to say “Thanks!”   This is the perfect way to extend your thank you into action with a token of appreciation.

Purchase these disposable bakers online from King Arthur Flour Company or Sur la Table.

You can bake this bread in 2 (8×4 inch) or 1 (9×5 inch) loaf pans. Also, as a option you can bake mini loaves in disposable oven safe loaf bakers. I purchased the ones shown above online from Sur la Table.

All the players are here: butter, sugar, eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, bananas, flour, baking soda and salt.Mash the bananas with a potato masher or electric mixer prior to mixing the other ingredients.

Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl.

Blend the butter and sugar together with an electric mixer.

Add in the eggs and vanilla extract.

Mix in the vanilla and eggs until the yolks disappear.

Add in the buttermilk and mashed bananas.Blend until evenly combined.

Lastly, add in the flour, soda and salt.Stir in the flour just until it disappears.Scrape down the sides of the bowl and fold in nuts if using.

Evenly divide the batter among the pans.Bake in the small baker at 35-40 minutes.

Bake the 8 or 9 inch loaves 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.Serve warm with butter or cool to room temperature and save for later.

 

The Best Banana Bread

*adapted from Gold Medal All Purpose Flour*

Ingredients:

1¼ cups sugar

½ cup butter (1 stick) softened

2 large eggs

1½ cups mashed very ripe bananas (3-4 medium)

½ cup buttermilk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2½ cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Instructions:

Pre-heat oven to 350°.

Spray or grease your metal or glass loaf pans with non- stick spray or shortening. If using disposable bakers skip this part.

With an electric mixer blend together the butter and sugar in a large bowl. Mix in the eggs and vanilla until the yolk of the egg disappears. Add in the bananas and buttermilk, beat with the electric mixer until combined. Stir in the flour, baking soda and salt just until the flour disappears. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula and fold in nuts in using.

Evenly distribute the batter into the pan or pans.

Bake 8 inch loaves 1 hour,

Bake 9 inch loaves 1 hour 15 minutes,

Bake small bakers 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Immediately run a butter knife around the perimeter of the metal or glass pans. Cool the loaves in metal or glass containers 10 minutes.  Loosen sides of the loaves from pans, remove from pans to cooling rack or place on a platter and serve warm with butter.

Don’t try to resist, answer the calling of The Best Banana Bread. You’ll thank me after.

Let me know what you think in the comments, or on social: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ mouthfuloffood

Hit me with your questions too! I’ve got answers for cooking, baking, being a mom and life. I’ll be sure to get right back!

Have a great week!

Kim Cherie