Banana Bread LOVE

First Place Banana Bread...A sweet treat for your valentine.

This recipe has won more than her fair share of first place ribbons...5 time first place winner!  Our neighbor said, "I do believe that was the best banana bread I've ever eaten!"

 I think he may be right.

  The very most important thing about banana bread in general, is of course, the bananas.  They must be ripe, over-ripe is better, and almost black is usually the very best.  The ones I used in the photo were acceptable, but if you are looking for an over-the-top BANANA flavor, let them be very over-ripe.

Three tips to GREAT banana bread:

1.  Do not over mix.  The wet batter will certainly be lumpy, mashed bananas are lumpy by their very nature. Once the flour is incorporated....stop mixing.  When you do mix, be gentle...the crumb of your bread will be tender instead of tough.
2. Use the best ingredients.  By this, I mean use very fresh eggs and produce whenever possible (still use over ripe bananas in this case), it will reap the best final product.  The same is true for flour and baking soda, make sure it's fresh. 
3. Make sure the oven is level and pre-heated to the correct temperature. 

I love that a banana bread is simple to make. The reward far outweighs the effort that goes into making it.

There is something so sweet about a well-made, well presented homemade treat.  This is a family favorite and most definitely good enough to give as a gift.  Enjoy! 

For a printable copy of the recipe: click here