Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Banana Bread - An "S Original"

Someone recently told me (shout-out to Britannia!) that when you change at least 3 ingredients, a recipe essentially becomes your own.  Several years ago, I took one of my favorite recipes and brought it to a new level with a few tweaks.  The results?  SO GOOD!  With this new "rule" established, I am officially claiming this recipe as my very own....

Who doesn't love banana bread?  Ok, except for you random few who have issues with bananas (which I will never understand - they're like candy, except really good for you!), but for the rest of you, I highly recommend you try this spiced up version of the classic:

1 3/4 c flour
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/3 c shortening (I always use unsalted butter)
2/3 c sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 c mashed ripe bananas

Optional additional ingredients: chocolate chips, blueberries, etc.


Preheat oven to 350.  Combine sugar, shortening, eggs and vanilla - mix well.  In separate bowl, mix all dry ingredients.  Add flour mixture and mashed bananas alternately to sugar mixture.  Pour into greased loaf pan and bake for approximately 45-50 minutes. (Check for knife to come out clean).


The baking time may vary if you happen to have a quirky old gas oven as I do in my apartment.  You may want to bake it for 40 minutes, then check it every 3-5 after that.  Its time consuming but totally worth it to avoid dried out bread.

A source tells me that this bread disappeared really quickly at the office...even more proof that you should try it!





2 comments:

Kevin said...

Have I tried this version of your banana bread? Whatever the case, I have always loved it. What better fate for old bananas? Now I just need to get a loaf pan...

Blogger on the Run said...

The banana bread is in the oven, so excited to try it. Thanks for the recipe!