
Banana Bread
A recipe from Estelle Human. This makes two generous loaves, which is exactly right — one disappears the day it's baked, and the other is for keeping. The riper the bananas, the better.
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 3 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup nuts (optional)
- ½ cup milk
- About 8 mashed bananas (ripe to overripe)
Method
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Butter two loaf pans generously.
- 2
In a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- 3
Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. With the mixer on low, add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Add the vanilla, milk, and mashed bananas.
- 4
Add the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Fold in the nuts if using.
- 5
Divide the batter between the two prepared pans. Bake for approximately 1 hour, until a skewer comes out clean.
- 6
Remove from the oven and turn the loaves out onto a cooling rack immediately. Let cool.
Notes
No overripe bananas on hand? Roast unpeeled bananas at 350°F for about 15 minutes until the skins blacken — they'll mash up soft and sweet.