Basic Bitch Banana Bread
If there’s one quick-and-easy baked good you can bring to a PTA or sorority fundraiser, it’s banana bread. This is the loaf that was meant for popped collars, pearls, that picnic basket that looks like Dorothy’s, and anyone named Karen. Or anyone named Dorothy, for that matter. Sounds basic enough. All you need are overly ripe bananas and a few other pantry staples to whip up a moist and dense delight that even banana haters typically enjoy. Walnuts are completely optional, though they’re not something I ever turn down because nuts are supposed to be good for your cognitive function and I need all the help I can get. What’s Dorothy’s last name again? Topeka?
Ingredients
- 5 overripe large bananas
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 stick unsalted butter at room temperature
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 eggs at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons buttermilk
- ¾ cup chopped walnuts optional
- ½ cup chopped dark chocolate optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- Grease a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray and line with parchment paper.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Peel 4 bananas and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Roast for 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and transfer the bananas to a medium bowl; keep the oven on.
- Using a potato masher, mash until smooth.
- You should have about 1½ cups mashed banana.
- Set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon to combine and set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and light brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Add the mashed bananas and vanilla.
- Add half the flour mixture, followed by the buttermilk.
- Add the remaining flour mixture.
- Remove the bowl from the stand mixer and stir in the walnuts and chocolate, if using.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Peel the remaining banana and slice in half lengthwise.
- Press the two halves into the top of the batter, cut-side up.
- Bake for 1 hour, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
- Slice and serve.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Banana bread is the perfect treat to make if you need to use the bananas that you forgot about on your counter.
The riper the bananas get, the sweeter they become. Roasting the bananas brings out even more flavor.
Banana bread freezes very well. Slice into portions and freeze individually. When you’re in a rush, you can grab a piece from the freezer and pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds for a quick breakfast or snack.
The riper the bananas get, the sweeter they become. Roasting the bananas brings out even more flavor.
Banana bread freezes very well. Slice into portions and freeze individually. When you’re in a rush, you can grab a piece from the freezer and pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds for a quick breakfast or snack.
