My gramma used to make the densest, most moist banana nut bread. I think her recipe called for a little orange juice along with overripe bananas, nuts and maybe raisins, I think? It was excellent warm or cold. Do you have a recipe for banana nut bread or zuchini bread that people rave about.
I'm still searching. I think it even had buttermilk in it? Is that crazy? And I'm sure she probably used cinnamon or allspice maybe. I'm talking, real old school granny cookin. I will try the version with cake mix another time, not for the holidays.
I make this recipe, and everyone raves about it:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/banana-banana-bread/detail.aspx
Okay, this is weird because I use the EXACT same recipe from Allrecipes that Julie does! Out of all the recipes you'd think it would be different, but we love it too!
Everyone I've given it too usually raves about it. I use 5 bananas ususually and it's very dense. You can easily add nuts or chocolate chips to it and I always do add a bit of vanilla even though it doesn't call for it.
I just wanted to add that I always use black bananas and I've never had it taste yucky. Sometimes when I have one banana left and it's really mushy I throw it in the freezer for later use. You can freeze soft bananas to use in baking and smoothies and although they look kinda gross when you unpeel them they taste fine once baked!
If you like nuts... I suggest adding chopped Macademia nuts into it.
That is what we do here in Hawaii. Real good.
For me, the proportion of how many/much bananas you use, in the recipe, directly affects how dense/moist the banana bread is.
And yes, using the most ripe bananas, to me, is best.
BUT not those blackened over over ripe, bananas. Then the bread will just taste "rotten".... as in too overly ripe.
I make Gina's Banana Nut Bread. It is sooo deeeeLISH! I got it off of Foodnetwork.com and it is Pat and Gina Neely's recipe. I actually just got through baking some. Makes the whole house smell sooo good! :-)
I use Mr. Food's recipe - add a tablespoon more butter, chocolate chips and chopped walnuts...
I also add more than the typical 3 bananas...
I've not tried one with orange juice...that would be good!!
Seriously, I have made from scratch and have received just as many raves from the PIllsbury Quick Bread mix with an extra banana and some walnuts!
Banana bread (for me) just isn't O. of those "from-scratch" items!
I don't know a specific recipe off-hand, but I know someone who makes a delicious banana bread that is super moist. She said her secret is to freeze it after it cools, then when you thaw it, it's even more moist than when it came out of the oven. I will be trying it on my next loaf!
Here's my favorite recipe. It came out of Family Fun magazine years ago. I always get compliments and recipe requests when I take this anywhere. Bonus, it makes two loaves one to eat at home and one to take somewhere.
Best-Ever Banana Bread
¾ cup butter, softened
2 ¼ cup sugar
3 eggs, beaten
2 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup sour cream
2 tsp. lemon juice
5 very ripe bananas
3 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
½ -1 cup nuts (optional)
1 cup (optional)
additional sugar for pans.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare 2 loaf pans by spraying liberally with Pam or greasing. Sprinkle about 1 T. sugar in the pans, covering the bottom and sides.
Cream the butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, stir in vanilla, sour cream, lemon juice and bananas. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda and optional nuts or chocolate chips. Pour batter into the prepared pans. Sprinkle the top of the batter with an additional 1 tsp. sugar. Bake for 1 hour or until a cake tester comes out clean.
My FAVORITE banana nut bread recipe actually came out of the Highlights High Five magazine last March! (actually every recipe they include is FANTASTIC every month).
(Spray a 4x8 inch loaf pan with vegetable oil. Preheat oven to 350.)
1. Peel and slice 4 ripe bananas into chunks. Put them in a large bowl and smash the bananas. Stir in 1/3 cup of melted butter.
2. Crack an egg into a small bowl. Beat the egg with a fork.
3. Add the egg, 3/4 cup of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla to the banana mixture. Stir in 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
4. Mix in 1 1/2 cups of flour. and a handful of chopped walnuts. Pour the mixture into a loaf pan.
Bake for 1 hour. Cool on a rack before removing the bread from the pan.
This recipe comes out like something between bread and poundcake and it is FABULOUS! I love a slice spread with cream cheese. :)
You cant go wrong with most of the recipes on Allrecipes. LOVE THEM.
Here is one with buttermilk
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/best-ever-banana-bread/detai...
I use this one
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/janets-rich-banana-bread/det...
I add cinnamon to everything so just add the amount you like.
And, if you really want a good muffin recipe you can try this one. It is to die for.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/banana-crumb-muffins/detail....
