How to Cook a Banana Loaf

Banana loaf is delious and easy to bake.

Bananas are a nutrient-rich food, a source of iron, potassium, fiber and vitamins B6 and B12. Banana bread is a quick bread, meaning there is no yeast in the recipe. Quick bread was developed in America during the 18th century. Banana bread is a tasty treat that only takes 10 minutes to prepare. This banana loaf also freezes well, so you can bake a few at once and freeze them to eat later.

Things You'll Need

• 2 bowls
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 2/3 cup sugar
• Fork
• 2 eggs
• 2 or 3 very ripe bananas
• Potato masher
• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon (optional)
• Spoon
• Full-size loaf pan or 2 small loaf pans
• Butter or canola oil for greasing
• Toothpick

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350° F.

2. Cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl with a fork.

3. Add eggs and bananas to the creamed mixture.

4. Mash the mixture together with a potato masher or a fork until mushy. Small banana chunks in the mixture are okay.

5. Combine flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon in second bowl. Break up any clumps in the dry ingredients.

6. Add dry mixture to wet mixture a cup at a time and stir together well.

7. Grease the bottom and sides of the loaf pan with butter or canola oil.

8. Pour the mixture into the pan.

9. Bake at 350° F for 50 minutes if you're using a regular loaf pan. Bake for 30 minutes if you're using two small loaf pans.

10. Poke the center of the loaf with a toothpick to check if it's done. The loaf is done if the toothpick comes out clean. If it's not ready, leave it in a bit longer, checking every few minutes until the toothpick comes out clean.

11. Let the loaf cool inside of the pan for five to 10 minutes before you remove it.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to add nuts, dried fruit or chocolate chips to your banana loaf, mix in a 1/2 cup before pouring into the pan.

• If your flour is lumpy, use a sifter to work out the lumps and/or clumps.

• Do not use unripened or under-ripened bananas as they do not mash properly and will not blend well with the other ingredients.

References

• The Fresh Loaf: 10 Minute Banana Bread
• Food Reference: Banana Bread History
• Bananasweb; Health Benefits of Bananas; 2007