Banana Bread Loaf Sliced On Wooden Table

Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Best banana bread recipe

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Banana Bread Loaf Sliced On Wooden Table

I think banana bread is one of the most delicious quick breads you can make. It’s also among the easiest! Chances are you have all the necessary ingredients in your pantry and fridge, and what’s great is that you can do any number of ingredient swaps and still end up with delicious bread. With just a few overripe bananas you’ll be enjoying your bread (or muffins!) in around an hour.

Ingredients

  • Cooking spray 
  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, margarine or oil
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (or sugar of choice)
  • 2 large eggs 
  • 1/4 cup of milk of your choice 
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
  • 3 medium bananas, very ripe (the bananas should fall apart when you peel them!)
  • 2 cups all-purpose or ½ wheat  flour 
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda 
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt 
  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts or chocolate chips (optional)

Steps

—Mash the bananas into a smooth pulp (or you can leave a few chunks if you like). 

—For denser bread, melt your butter in the microwave then add sugar and whisk until combined.  For a finer texture of bread, you can “cream” it. To cream butter, let it soften at room temperature and then beat it together with sugar until it’s smooth and fluffy. Pro-tip: I like to do the mixing by hand because it dirties fewer utensils, but you can also use a stand mixer!

—Heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

—Line a 8X5-inch loaf pan with parchment, making a sling. Spray with cooking spray. 

—Add eggs and whisk until the mixture is smooth. Whisk in the milk and vanilla, then add the mashed bananas. 

—Combine the flour, salt and baking soda. Add to the wet ingredients and gently stir with a spatula until they are just barely combined, and no dry flour is visible. Don’t overmix! 

—Fold in roasted nuts, and or chocolate chips, if you have them!

Pour into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake 50-65 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Start checking after 50 minutes then every 5 minutes till done.

—Cool for 10 minutes, then remove using the paper sling and cool on a rack for an additional 10 minutes. 

—Enjoy!

After having your fresh banana bread, wrap the leftovers in plastic wrap and store it on the counter to enjoy for the next several days. 

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago