Recipe: Best Banana Bread

I admit it. Bananas are good for me, but I really don’t like them much. On the other hand, I love banana bread. In fact, it’s one of my favorite recipes.

Whole wheat and wonderful, this delicious banana bread makes an excellent welcome gift for a new neighbor. Best Banana Bread is a delicious add-on for a brunch, but it is also a family favorite. This banana bread recipe makes one sturdy loaf, or several mini-loaves. For a festive touch, Best Banana Bread may also be baked in a Bundt pan (see photo).

Because I don’t love bananas on their own, I often have two or three of them hanging around and browning before they are eaten. This is a great way to use those up! (I don't like to throw stuff out. Know the feeling?)

LAN/PAH photo. All rights reserved.

Ingredients for Best Banana Bread

• 1 1/4 cups flour
• 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about two medium bananas - peeled)
• 1 teaspoon real vanilla extract

(Note: If substituting plain flour only, use 2 cups of flour, and omit the whole-wheat flour.)

Instructions for Best Banana Bread

Preheat an oven to 350 (F) degrees. Prepare one 8" x 4" x 2" loaf pan with vegetable spray.  Add a light dusting of flour, particularly if using a Bundt pan. (I often skip this extra step by using floured spray.)

In a medium bowl, mix the flours, baking soda and salt. Set this bowl of dry ingredients aside.

In a larger bowl, beat the sugar and oil with an hand-held electric mixer or countertop standing mixer (Here's the KitchenAid stand mixer I like to use.) until these are well blended (about two minutes at medium speed). Add the egg, and beat well, until the mixture is light yellow.

Pour in the dry ingredients gradually, alternating with peeled bananas, while blending at low speed.

Spoon in the vanilla extract, and blend the banana bread mixture more.

Pour the banana bread batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 45 minutes at 350 (F) degrees.

Cool Best Banana Bread for at least 15 minutes before removing the loaf from the baking pan. Then cool the banana bread completely on a wire rack before cutting.

Slice and serve Best Banana Bread plain or topped with butter, margarine or cream cheese.

NOTE: Written by this author, this copyrighted material originally appeared on another publisher’s site. That site no longer exists. This author holds all rights to this content. No republication is allowed without permission.

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