Would you know it, another banana recipe! The classic banana bread has become a staple in the “loaf” family of breads, causing the debate- is it a bread or is it a cake? Either way, it is delicious. With so many variations and additions to the classic released by Pillsbury and then shortly after Chiquita’s own, I’ve experimented and tried just about most. The below recipe is one that delivers every time. Spoiler alert, my secret ingredient: orange zest.
What you’ll need
For these quantities, you will want to use a 9x5x3 loaf pan. Two mixing bowls needed, for wet and dry ingredients that will ultimately be combined. A spatula to gently fold the ingredients together helps create a more moist bread.
Most importantly, overly ripe bananas should be used. Banana bread is good, but what makes it GREAT is when it is as moist as possible. Using overly ripe, black bananas creates a moist bread and adds that sought-after banana flavor. Note, frozen bananas can work too.
Optional additions
Chocolate chips- I understand if you do, chocolate makes everything better
Coconut flakes- for that extra chewiness
Dried fruits- especially great during the Holiday season
More nuts- more is better, no? Just be careful of too much of a good thing and know that walnuts are the preferred flavor combination.
PrintBanana Bread
Ingredients
- 2–2/3 cup all purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup butter (melted)
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 3 medium size ripe bananas (~1.5 cup mashed)
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- Grated orange rind of one orange
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325F. Grease a 9x5x3 loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
- Sift the flour together with baking soda and baking powder.
- Add salt.
- In another bowl mix melted butter with sugar.
- Add eggs and buttermilk.
- Stir in flour mixture, then mashed bananas.
- Fold in walnuts and orange zest.
- Transfer into a prepared pan.
- Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes.
- Cool on a wire rack.
More bananas to use? Check out these banana cupcakes.
