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‘Food Network Made a Mistake’ Banana Bread

A banana bread recipe from the 1946 edition of "The Joy of Cooking" is the earliest example of banana bread. It is a perfect example of the versatility of banana bread. It has a crunchy, crackly crust that is golden brown and crisp. The bread is moist, sweet, and dense. It is often eaten right out of hand. The ingredients are usually very simple and easy to prepare. You can also buy them in most stores.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 serves
Course: Breakfast, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 352
Ingredients Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 5 TBS Butter softened
  • 1/2 cup Sugar
  • 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
  • 1 cup smooshed Bananas ripe
  • 2 1/2 cup AP Flour
  • 1 tsp Baking Soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp Instant Coffee
  • 1 cup Pecans optional

Method
 

  1. preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Combine butter and both sugars in the bowl of an electric mixer. Cream until smooth and fluffy.
  3. Smoosh your bananas into 1 cup (it took me 4 very ripe medium bananas) and add to mixer. This will make the mixture lumpy, which is what you want.
  4. In another bowl combine all other ingredients except the pecans. Add to the mixer and mix until combined. Gently mix or fold in nuts.
  5. Pour into a prepared (buttered & floured) 2 lb loaf pan. Bake for 50 minutes, rotating after 25 minutes.

Video

Notes

This was a delicious banana loaf! I didn’t puree the bananas so on top actual pieces of banana had caramelized. I also think the teaspoon of instant coffee give it a little kick. The loaf wasn’t overly sweet so if you wanted you could add chocolate chips.
So go ahead and make this bread soon, and when you do say a little curse under your breath towards Food Network like I was today as I made this bread. Oh well… there is always next year!
P.S. Thanks everyone for all the sweet messages and kind words! Who needs a therapist? I feel so happy reading all these comments! Don’t worry, I am not giving up!