Banana Bread
I love bread of all kinds, but banana bread ranks pretty high on my list. So, on this cold, snowy afternoon I decided to whip up a loaf.


Betty Crocker
Now, there may be nothing special about this banana bread recipe, but I like to think that you can’t go wrong with a tried-and-true Betty Crocker recipe. She’s been around a long time, and her recipes have been tested for many years.

I have been making this recipe for over thirty years now, and I don’t recall a time that it has failed me. I love this easy banana bread recipe so much, and I usually make it several times a year. Especially in the fall and winter. We like it as a breakfast treat with coffee and tea or for an afternoon treat.

Tea Bread
Banana bread is a “Tea Bread.” Tea breads are not a yeast bread, but rather a “quick bread” that is meant for snacking or served as a dessert much like a zucchini bread. The original tea breads were made with dried fruits.

Top It Off
Banana bread is best served warm and topped with butter. However, you can top it with cream cheese, or special fruit spreads.
Banana Bread Recipe from Betty Crocker
Ingredients:
- Flour
- sugar
- baking powder
- salt
- salad oil
- milk
- egg
- nuts
- 2 – 3 bananas
- Brown sugar
What you will need to do:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 3 tablespoons salad oil
- 1 cup of milk (BC recipe calls for 1 1/4 cups of milk, but when making banana bread reduce the amount of milk to 3/4 cup.) I like to use 1 cup of milk.
- 1 egg
- 1 cup finely chopped nuts
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (2 – 3 medium bananas)
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup of brown sugar (Brown sugar seems to help give the top of the loaf a nice crust.)
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 9x5x3 – inch loaf pan or two 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2-inch loaf pans. Measure all ingredients into large mixing bowl; beat on medium speed 1/2 minute, using a spatula scraping side and bottom of bowl constantly.
Pour into pan(s). Sprinkle the top of the loaf (loaves) with a bit of brown sugar. Bake 55 to 65 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pan, cool thoroughly before slicing.
There you have it! After pulling the bread out of the oven, you can either leave it in the pan to cool off or set it out on a wire rack.
*If using self-rising flour, omit baking powder and salt.


Preserving Banana Bread
Banana bread also freezes well and keeps its moisture in a freezer bag; just thaw out and enjoy the delicious taste later! Wrap your banana bread to keep it fresh and presentable using parchment paper, cellophane, or decorative bags tied up with twine and gift tags. Banana bread is such a wonderful treat and makes a cozy gift wrapped up in a pretty dish towel and tied off with a big ribbon.
Happy Baking!