| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 1 hr – 1 hr 10 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 482 | 16g | 8g | 80g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 47g | 3g | 6g | 0.6g |
From an actor’s viewpoint, sharing the scene with a well-crafted character can bring all kinds of joy. Similarly, as a passionate foodie, the delicious complexity of Banana Bread shares that same thrill for me. It’s the little bit of tropics combined with the hearty oven-baked bread that resonates with my roots in the diverse culinary landscape of New York City.
A Recipe Grounded in Diversity
Like the diverse inhabitants of the Big Apple, Banana Bread is an outstanding example of how a blend of simple ingredients can produce a result that’s far more than the sum of its parts. With mashed bananas, a squeeze of lemon juice, and the usual bread suspects, this recipe creates a loaf that sings with varied flavors, each ingredient playing its part without overshadowing the others.
The soft and ripe bananas lose their tropical boldness as they meld with the earthiness of flour, the sweetness of sugar, and the simple yet sophisticated impact of vanilla extract. The addition of buttermilk adds a subtle tanginess that makes all the difference.
Other versions of banana bread may add in walnuts or chocolate chips, but I’ve always been a fan of letting the core ingredients shine on their own.
Health Benefits & Serving Suggestions
And let’s not overlook the fact that bananas are a great source of vitamin C and fiber. They’re also known to aid digestion and even lift our mood thanks to their natural sugars and tryptophan content.
As for what to pair with this delightful loaf? The beauty of this Banana Bread is in its versatility. I love a slice for breakfast with my morning coffee, it’s the perfect start to my day before heading to a bustling theater rehearsal. That said, it would also make a wonderful dessert, perhaps served alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It also pairs exceptionally well with a light Ginger Rooibos Tea in the afternoon.
Enjoy a taste of NYC’s culinary diversity right in your kitchen – a slice of this Banana Bread is akin to a stroll through the city’s vibrant streets where different aromas and flavors coexist in a mouthwatering medley. So here’s to a universal bread that transcends mundane breakfasts and evolves into an homage to unity in diversity – Bon appétit!
What You’ll Need
- 1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (about 4 ripe bananas)
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
Method
Step One
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9×5 inch loaf pan, dust it with flour and tap out any excess.
Step Two
In a small bowl, mix mashed bananas with lemon juice and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt, set aside.
Step Three
In a large bowl, cream 1/2 cup butter and 1/4 cup vegetable oil together with 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar and 1/2 cup brown sugar until pale and fluffy. Blend in eggs one at a time, blending just until combined after each addition. Stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract.
Step Four
Work in flour mixture just until combined. Ladle in mashed bananas mixture and 1 1/2 cups buttermilk, stirring until combined.
Step Five
Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth top. Bake in preheated oven until toothpick inserted into center of banana bread comes out clean (free of batter), about 60 – 75 minutes.
Step Six
Allow to cool on a wire rack for a few minutes then run a butter knife around edges to free from pan. Invert onto a wire rack then flip right side up and allow to cool before slicing and serving. Enjoy your Banana Bread!
