Southern Living
Don’t throw away those slightly-overripe bananas! Homemade banana bread is one of our favorite treats to have on hand for spontaneous visitors, an on-the-go breakfast, or a special lunchbox snack. This simple traditional banana bread will wow your family and friends with its moist texture and wonderful banana flavor. Topped with a pat of melty butter, this classic banana bread pairs beautifully with a hot mug of coffee or tea. Although we love snacking on this banana bread for breakfast, it can be enjoyed at any time of day, from morning to night. For a decadent dessert, top a slice of warm banana bread with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Scratch-baked gifts are our favorite way to show our love, and with only fifteen minutes of hands-on time, this banana bread is a quick and easy homemade solution to your gifting woes. Wrapped in wax paper and tied with twine, it’s a great hostess gift to bring to parties or potlucks. This fall, we’re baking a loaf to gift to each of our neighbors.
How to Make It
Step 1
Preheat oven to 325ºF. Grease and flour a 9- x 5-inch loaf pan. Beat butter and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. Combine flour, soda, and salt; add to batter, and mix just to combine. Add bananas, mixing well.
Step 2
Spoon batter into prepared pan. Bake at 325ºF for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean and sides pull away from pan, shielding with aluminum foil during last 15 minutes to prevent excessive browning, if necessary. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pan, and cool 30 minutes on wire rack before slicing. Serve with butter.
