Do you remember
The Joy of Cooking
cookbook?
The strange thing is I like the flavor of bananas, but the mushy texture grosses me out. That’s when banana bread enters the scene.
This is a great simple recipe for the bread. I adapted the original a touch by adding vanilla extract and scattering nuts over the top before baking, instead of combing them with the batter.
If you prefer, add ½ cup of chopped nuts and ¼ cup finely chopped apricots to the batter, and then a sprinkling of turbinado sugar over the top of the loaf before baking.
That just could be the way to go!
Here's the recipe...
Quick Banana Bread
Printable recipe
Preheat oven to 350°.
Sift before measuring:
1¾ cups all-purpose flour
Resift with:
2¼ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
Blend until creamy:
⅓ cup shortening
⅔ cup sugar
¾ teaspoon grated lemon rind
Beat in:
1 beaten egg
1¼ cups ripe banana pulp (about 3 bananas)
Add the sifted ingredients in about 3 parts to the sugar mixture.
Beat the batter after each addition until smooth.
Place batter in a greased 9 x 5 x 3 inches loaf pan.
Scatter ½ cup chopped walnuts over top.
Bake the bread until brown on top and done in the center (poke with a toothpick; it should come out clean) for 50 to 55 minutes.
Let stand in pan for 10 minutes, turn out on wire rack.
Cool completely before slicing.
Enjoy!
I do love the add of vanilla and walnut topping. The bread looks awesome, Pam.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Juliana! Have a good day!
Deletethis looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Claudia! Take care
DeleteI'm the same way---if I eat a banana, it has to be firm. But I do love banana bread---and yours looks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteLiz, guess great minds think alike! :-)
DeletePam, Banana bread is one of my wife's favorite comfort foods! She eats it for breakfast or even for dessert after dinner... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
ReplyDeleteHi Dave! She knows what's good! Take care
DeleteI love me some good banana bread, espcially with nuts. of course i know that cookbook, a great one still today.
ReplyDeleteMe too, Evelyne! I agree with the nuts, for sure!
DeleteI like mine with nuts, but never thought in adding chopped apricot...treat idea Pam...thanks for sharing this quick recipe.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week :)
Thanks, Juliana! Dates, raisins, on and on would be good in the bread. You have a good week!
DeleteHi Pam: Yes, I do, still use my Joy Of Cooking. It's stained, broken in the back and tattered. Also, kindred spirit, the Joy's Banana Bread recipe is the best I've ever had. That recipe and the whole grain pancakes are two recipes I use over and over again. Thanks for the reminder! Kathie
ReplyDeleteHi Kathie! It's an oldie but goodie that I still use, classic cooking. I'll have to check out the pancakes now! You have a good rest of the week!
DeleteYup, I've got 2 of that cookbook. One about the same age as yours. And one of the more recent editions. The earlier ones are better -- the later ones removed some of my favorites! Anyway, wonderful stuff -- thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks, John! It's a great cookbook and I need to look at the recent editions. Take care
DeleteBannana bread is a wonderful addition to the series of fruit breads. Popular fruits used: raisins, currants, apricots. Some ingredients to enhance flavor are cinnamon and nuts.
ReplyDeleteYour banana bread looks yummy and I'm sure it tstes delicious.
Yes, Duta! Cinnamon would be a great addition in this recipe. I Will do that next time. Thanks!
DeleteLovely bread, Pam! A slice or two is perfect for tea-time!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joyce! You're right! Take care
DeleteI feel exactly the same way you do about bananas. Mushy - ewww! I haven't made banana bread in so long but with cooler weather coming I'm feeling the urge, especially after seeing yours. Love the nuts on top!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan! Great minds think alike. Hope you enjoy the bread!
DeleteBanana bread s my favourite! I love the smell in the kitchen and of course the taste, your bread looks amazing:)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Natalia! Have a god day!
DeleteI mash nanners into my porridge but for Tim, he doesn't like that texture either. So I understand where you're coming from.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a yummy weekend.
Hi Ivy! Love the taste though. Have a great rest of the week!
DeleteTotally understandable.
DeleteLove this banana cake look absolutely stunning Pam ! Just delicious!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gloria! It's really tasty good!
DeleteI absolutely love banana bread and I still have a copy of the Joy of Cooking as well!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like it also, Amy and the cookbook too! Take care
Deleteyou know, i've tried a hundred banana bread recipes (maybe not quite that many), and i'm pretty sure i've never seen one with shortening! definitely worth a try!
ReplyDelete