I love banana bread. It tastes great and makes the house smell delicious as it bakes. Banana bread is a great alternative to cake, but it tastes very similar. I use a recipe that cuts out much of the fat and allows for adjustments to the sugar content so you can feel good about indulging in a warm slice. The bread is best with on sale bananas so it is very budget friendly.
Delicious Banana Bread
I begin with bananas that are reduced for quick sale as they are starting to turn brown. These bananas usually cost 75 cents for several pounds. They are easy to mash and their texture makes them perfect for bread making. You will need 3 bananas, 2 cups flour, 1 pinch salt, 1/2 tsp baking soda (not pictured), 1/3 to 1 cup sugar, 1 container plain Greek yogurt, several teaspoons vanilla, 2 eggs, and 1/4 c to 1 small pat of butter. The sugar and butter are flexible. I use minimal butter and only about 1/3 cup of sugar. I will be honest here – the sugar and butter give a rich flavor, but add calories and fat. Greek yogurt acts as a kind of fat substitute so I don’t need much extra fat. The bread is delicious with or without them, it’s up to you.
Ingredients
Preheat the oven to 350. I made three loaves for this article because I had extra bananas to use. I tripled the recipe for this reason. The proportions in your bread may be smaller than the photos. Measure the dry ingredients (flour, salt, and baking soda) into a separate bowl and give a gentle stir with a whisk to incorporate the powders together.
Measure dry ingredients
Mash the bananas in a bowl. I like to leave chunks, but you can choose chunky or more blended.
Mash Bananas
Butter or grease the bread pans very well. Buttering the pans works better. I didn’t have enough butter so I used oil. It works so so.
Grease Pans
With a blender, beat sugar and butter together. This works much better if the butter is softened or room temperature. I only use a tiny pat of butter for three loaves. The yogurt works wonders for fat replacement.
Beat sugar and butter
Add eggs one at a time and beat the mixture after each egg is added.
Add the eggs and mix
Once the eggs are added, measure the vanilla. I like vanilla and make my own – the recipe is here. I add a splash, you must use at least 1 tsp.
Measure Vanilla
Next mix in the yogurt and mashed bananas and blend the mixture.
Add Bananas and yogurt
Finally add the dry flour mixture in parts. It works best to dump in a little and blend and then repeat until the dough is fully blended.
Add Flour Mixture
The dough will look like this when ready to bake. Make sure the bowl is fully blended and the wet and dry ingredients are well mixed. Pay close attention that you don’t beat the dough too much. Mix well but don’t beat and beat and beat…
Dough!
Pour dough into pan or pans and place in the oven. The bread will need to bake for at least 45 minutes. After this point check the center. Some ovens bake hotter than others and you don’t want to burn your bread. The bread may need to bake for 55-60 minutes. Check it. If you are making muffins with this recipe, check them at 25 minutes.
Ready for the oven
Bake until golden brown. I like my bread to be a touch underdone but you should choose what makes you happy.
Banana Bread!
Remove from the oven and the pans. Allow to cool on the counter. I use a cooling rack because my mother gave me some as gifts. I am not super fancy pants though. You may also use a couple of stacked paper towels on the counter to cool the bread. Use what you have!
Delicious!
Once the bread is cool enough to handle, cut a piece. You should taste it while it is still warm…You must make sure it is good! This bread freezes very well if you make several loaves. To freeze, wrap it well in plastic wrap once it is cool and place in freezer. If you don’t freeze it, serve if for breakfast! FYI – It makes a decadent French Toast for those special brunches and breakfasts to impress guests.
