Easy Recipe For Banana Bread

Ingredients

• 3 medium size unripe bananas
• 3 Tablespoons (38g) firmly packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1 and 2/3 cup (200g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (100g) firmly packed light or dark brown sugar
• 6 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
• 2 large eggs (room temperature preferred)
• 1/3 cup (80mL) water (room temperature)
• 1/2 cup (60g) chopped nuts1 (optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   --- ROASTED BANANAS ---

2. 2

   Preheat the oven to 400ºF (204ºC). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat (or leave unlined, if you don't mind cleaning). Set aside.

3. 3

   Situate each banana so that the curved part is on a surface or cutting board and the ends are facing up. Slice each banana in half long ways, then lay the sliced bananas on the pan, exposed banana side up.

4. 4

   Sprinkle the bananas with the brown sugar and then turn each of them over so that the skins now face up and the exposed banana is on the prepared pan.

5. 5

   Roast the bananas for 10 minutes or until the skins are completely black and leaking juices from the sides.

6. 6

   Remove the bananas from the oven, carefully remove the skins, and place the roasted bananas and all of the juices and caramelized sugar into a small bowl.

7. 7

   Mash the bananas in the bowl using a fork and set them aside to cool while you make the rest of the banana bread.

8. 8

   --- BANANA NUT BREAD ---

9. 9

   Reduce the oven temperature to 350ºF (177ºC). Spray a 9" x 5" loaf pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.

10. 10

    In a medium size bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.

11. 11

    In a large bowl with a handheld mixer, or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat both of the sugars and the butter together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the eggs and beat again until completely incorporated. Add the mashed roasted bananas and the water and beat again until everything is combined.

12. 12

    Reduce the mixer speed to low and slowly add the dry ingredients, stopping when everything is just incorporated. Gently stir in the nuts, if using, with a large spatula, and combine the rest of the batter with a spatula until no large flour pockets remain.

13. 13

    Pour the batter into the prepared pan, then bake the loaf for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. Allow loaf to cool in the pan on a wire cooling rack before serving. Loaf stays fresh, covered tightly at room temperature, up to 5 days, or in the refrigerator up to 1 week. Loaf freezes well. Remove from pan and wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature.