The Humble Banana Bread

It really is a humble little bread, isn't it? It isn't a grand dessert, given a starring role on restaurant menus. But it's delicious, just the same--for a snack, or yeah--for breakfast! It's the kind of thing you picture your grandmother or your mom making, and it brings you right back to their kitchens--or at least for me, it does. And I don't know about you, but when I get a craving for banana bread, I've got to have some.

The only thing standing in the way of banana bread is my kids, the little monkeys. They eat all the bananas! I've had to start hiding some from them, just so we can have banana bread or these muffins, which we all go crazy for.

This recipe is from an old friend, and it's definitely our favorite. This is the one my husband asks for when he gets a craving for banana bread. And even better--it makes two loaves. I love getting more for my work, don't you? You can freeze one, if you like--just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and I throw it in a freezer bag for good measure. It's a moist bread, buttery and tender, and just right.

If you have buttermilk and want to use that instead of plain milk, it's delicious that way, too. The original recipe calls for three cups of sugar, but I cut it down to two and a half cups. And add nuts if you like! I'd add nuts, and a lot of them if the kids didn't find them so revolting. What is it with them?! I ended up adding some walnuts to the top of one loaf, anyway. One of my favorite ways to have a slice is to pop it in the toaster, and then put peanut butter on it. Because peanut butter makes so many things better. It's right up there with bacon, cheese and chocolate for their food enhancing capabilities.

Perfect Banana Bread

1 cup unsalted butter -- softened
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk or buttermilk
3 cups banana -- mashed
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt



Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Cream butter and sugar.
Add egg and and vanilla.
Then add milk and mashed banana.
In a separate bowl; sift and stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not over mix.
Pour into a greased glass loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes, to 1 hour 25 minutes or until nicely browned and done when checked with a cake tester.


Yield: 2 loaves
Preparation time: 10 minutes

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