2 Banana Banana Bread

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and levelled )
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (reduce slightly if using salted butter)
• 1/3 cup butter (at room temperature )
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
• 1 cup bananas (mashed, about 2 medium, very-ripe bananas )

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350F (not fan-assisted/convection) with rack in centre of oven. *Reduce oven temperature by 25F for glass pans.

2. 2

   Prepare an 8.5 x4.5-inch metal loaf pan (at least 2 1/2 inches deep) by spraying with cooking spray, then lining the bottom and sides with a sheet of parchment paper that extends about 1-inch over the sides, to use as handles to remove the loaf after baking. Set aside.

3. 3

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

4. 4

   In a large bowl with an electric mixer or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the room temperature butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

5. 5

   Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well between each addition and scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.

6. 6

   With mixer on low, add the flour mixture, alternately with the mashed bananas (add 1/3 flour mixture, then 1/2 the bananas, then more flour, then remaining banana, ending with the remaining flour). Mix until well combined, then give it a quick, 15-second beat.

7. 7

   Pour batter into prepared 8x4-inch loaf pan and level top.

8. 8

   Bake in preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the centre comes out clean. *Start checking the loaf at about 40 minutes. If the top is still quite pale, no need to test. Start testing when the top is cracked and turning golden.

9. 9

   Remove from oven and allow to cool in the pan on a cooling rack for 10 minutes, then remove from the baking pan, gently remove the parchment paper and allow to cool further or completely on a baking rack.