This banana bread recipe is from the pages of my 10 year old recipe book. It is the easiest cake I have made, it's loved every time and it is what a banana bread should be, moist, not too dense, but soft and with a fragrance that will waft through your home and awaken your senses! I have made this recipe so many times that I know the it off by heart! This is me, sharing my nurtured recipe, one that you will want to bookmark and make again and again. What makes it different? I add oil along with the regular ingredients, this gives a perfect crunch to the exterior on the day it's made while stiff maintaining the beautiful softness inside.
Prep: 15 minutes
Bake: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1h 10 m
During a recent trip that I made to England, my dad had asked me to bake 'my' banana bread, it was then that I had realized he must have liked it enough for him to remember it and ask me to make it again. I thought no big deal of it and happily baked it for him, whilst also putting a vote out to all of you to see if you had a 'go to' banana bread recipe. Being that this is such a common type of cake it never really occurred to me to share it. To my surprise, many of you expressed interest in the recipe, so here it is!
I honestly believe baking this bread is a form of self care. The warm, comforting aroma wafting from the oven, the tender crumb that melts in your mouth, and the delightful combination of sweet bananas and aromatic spices/orange. It's a classic that never goes out of style. Today, while we are on the topic, I thought I would take you on h a journey through the world of banana bread, exploring its rich history, sharing a cherished recipe, and uncovering some creative twists on this beloved treat.
Banana bread's roots can be traced back to when the stock market crashed in 1929, I believe they can't it 'The great Depression'. Resourceful homemakers looked for ways to make the most of their ripe bananas and so the concept was born. The first banana bread recipes appeared in popular cookbooks during the 1930s, and since then, it has become a staple in kitchens worldwide. Its charm lies in its simplicity – the transformation of overripe bananas into a moist, flavourful loaf.
Optional Additions for the Best Banana Bread
There are many ways to vary the flavour of this delicious, moist and best banana bread, I have adopted Orange Zest to my recipe below, but it is completely optional and can also be replaced with any of the options below;
2 teaspoons orange zest
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 teaspoons maple extract
1/6 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon all spice
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/4 cup of chopped, dried fruit
1/4 cup of chopped walnuts
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup cocoa powder (and an additional 1/4 cup of sugar)
Liquor extract to taste
Best Banana Bread Recipe
Prep time | 15 minutes |
Bake time | 55 minutes |
Total time | 1 hour and 10 minutes |
Yields | 1 Loaf |
Ingredients
3 ripe bananas
1/4 cup melted butter
2 tablespoons oil
1/3 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup sugar
1 heaped teaspoon cinnamon powder
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
Zest of 1 Lemon or 1 orange (optional)
1 large egg (room temperature)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
Method
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 4x8-inch loaf pan or cover it with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, smash the banana's using a potato smasher or a fork.
3. Pour in the melted butter and whisk together.
4. Add all the rest of the ingredients in the order they are written, and stir well until the mixture is well combined.
5. Pour into the loaf pan and bake for 55 minutes.
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