Few treats are as comforting & loved as banana bread. Whoever dreamed up this moist, delicious loaf was a genius. Banana bread has earned its place as a staple in kitchens worldwide & can tick the box as a breakfast delight, a lunchbox item, an afternoon snack or a dessert.
During the Covid-19 Pandemic, the entire world went bananas for banana bread, but this deliciousness has been around much longer than 2020. Although banana bread may have existed long before 1930, it is believed that The Pillsbury Flour Mills Company published one of the very first recipes for it in 1933.
Its magic lies in its simplicity — a quick mix of ripe bananas, basic pantry staples & some elbow grease.
Here are some tips, tricks & a foolproof recipe to make this classic treat shine!
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Banana Bread
- Use Overripe Bananas: The riper, the better! Spotty, brown bananas are sweeter & more flavourful, giving your bread a rich, natural sweetness.
- Mash Bananas Well: Mash the bananas thoroughly to ensure they blend smoothly into the batter, creating a uniform texture. You don’t want to end up with banana lumps in your loaf.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Only mix the batter until the wet & dry ingredients are combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense & tough loaf.
- Customize with Add-Ins: Enhance your banana bread with nuts, chocolate chips, dried fruits or a sprinkle of cinnamon. Feel free to leave out one of the bananas & substitute with one grated apple. You can also bake the batter in a muffin tin or as individual mini loaves.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Allow eggs, butter & other ingredients to reach room temperature for better mixing and a softer crumb.
- Grease the Pan Well: Prevent sticking by greasing your loaf pan thoroughly with butter & then coating with flour. You can also use some baking / parchment paper to line the tin.
- Test for Doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, then it is ready.
- Cool Before Slicing: Let the bread cool completely before removing from the tin & cutting to maintain its shape & texture.
Banana Bread Recipe
If you do not have one, then look no further. I have you covered. Here is my delicious banana bread recipe:
Easy Banana Bread
A classic that will never disappoint.
Ingredients
- 120 g Butter Unsalted if available
- 150 g Sugar
- 2 Eggs
- 4 Bananas, ripened
- 240 g Cake Flour
- 2 ml Salt
- 5 ml Bicarbonate of Soda
- 30 ml Milk
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 180°C. Use an electric beater if possible & whisk the butter & sugar together until light & fluffy. Add eggs one-by-one & mix well after each addition.
- Bash up the bananas & add the lemon juice. Sift the dry ingredients together & add to the butter mixture – alternating with the milk.
- Pour the batter into a well-greased tin. Bake for one hour. Test with a thin skewer. When it comes out dry, your banana bread is ready.
Notes
This banana bread will stay fresh for about 2 days in an airtight container. It also freezes well as a whole loaf or as individual slices.
Enjoy!
Yolandi ♥
Images: Hello Love Lifestyle for aZestyLife