Recipe: Basic Banana Bread

I find that I often get so caught up in making only “healthy” baked goods, that sometimes it’s nice to just follow a regular recipe the way it’s supposed to be.  No substitutions.  Just traditional recipes.

This Banana Bread recipe was given to me by a former co-worker’s wife and it turns out perfect and moist every time.

Basic Banana Bread

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 4 tbsp butter (room temp)
• 1 egg (beaten)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3-4 very ripe bananas (mashed)
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• pinch of salt
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 – 1/2 cup walnut or pecan pieces (lightly toasted) (optional)
• 1/4 – 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350F.
• In a large bowl: cream butter.  Add sugar, beat together.  Add egg, beat. Add vanilla, beat.
• In another bowl: Mix flour, soda, salt & baking powder.  Stir to combine. 
• Add mashed bananas to wet mixture.  Fold together.  Add nuts and/or chocolate chips if desired.  Add flour mixture gradually, stirring to combine.
• Pour batter into sprayed loaf pan.  (Sprinkle a few chocolate chips on top, if using.)
• Bake for 50-60 minutes.  Check for doneness at 40-45 minutes as some ovens cook faster than others. 
• Let cool before removing from pan.  Slice and enjoy!