How to Make Banana Banana Bread Copy Cat Version of Bob Evan's

Use ripe bananas for banana bread.

Bob Evans Restaurant is known for their good, down-home family food and specialty bread; such as banana, cherry and blueberry. According to bobevans.com's company factsheet, "For more than fifty years, we've been bringing farm-fresh foods to our restaurant and grocery customers. Our success is built on the basics: high-quality food and excellent hospitality. This foundation along with our product development and consumer research is at the heart of our continued growth and solid financial performance." Next time you dine out, eat at Bob Evans and enjoy the Banana Bread. In the meantime, make your own.

Things You'll Need

• 3 1/2-4 cups flour
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. light salt
• 1 cup shortening
• 1 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed down
• 4 eggs
• 4 cups overripe bananas
• Splash of vanilla extract
• Large mixing bowl
• 2 loaf pans, 9 x 5 inch
• Non-stick food spray
• Toothpicks

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Properly preheating your oven will guarantee your bread will bake correctly. Newer ovens have a beeper or light to tell you when it's heated but in case it doesn't 30 minutes will be sufficient.

2. Spray two loaf pans with non-stick food spray.

3. Cream together, with a mixer, shortening and brown sugar.

4. Beat in eggs and bananas. If your bananas are ripe enough they will blend in without your having to take the time to mash them ahead of time. Don't skimp on the bananas you use as they will give the bread the "banana banana" flavor as the title indicates.

5. 

   Using a wooden spoon makes stirring a little easier.

   Stir in baking soda and salt with a wooden spoon or spatula.

6. 

   Sifting your flour makes the bread fluffier.

   Sift, and stir, flour in a little at a time. Avoid over mixing; stir only until blended.

7. Pour the batter into the two prepared loaf pans. Bake for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

8. 

   Sliced banana bread

   Let bread cool for 10 minutes before taking out of pans and slicing.

Tips & Warnings

• Loaf pans come in metal and glass, big and small. You can even use a washed out tin can for a personalized size and use for a gift.

• If you are a diabetic try making the bread sugar free by using diet sweetener.

References

• Allrecipes.com: Banana Banana Bread
• Allrecipes.com: Common Ingredient Substitutions

Resources

• BobEvans.com: Our Company/Fact Sheet