Gifts From the Kitchen: First Place Banana Bread
Need a gift for a neighbor... ??
Something to take as a hostess gift??
Something to take as a hostess gift??
...Or perhaps you are the proud
owner of a bunch of very over-ripe bananas...
..Or maybe you just need an award winning,
easy and delicious recipe for banana bread??
Whatever the reason,
you have come to the right place!
This prize-winning banana bread is sure to do the trick.
As a gift,
wrap it up sweetly and include the recipe...
wrap it up sweetly and include the recipe...
because they will want to make it again and again.
When gifting this bread,
I like to pair it with a bag of my favorite coffee...
It's a sweet treat...that's for sure.
This banana bread 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!"
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 star of the show...
the main event...
THE banana.
The bananas must be ripe, over-ripe is better,
about banana bread in general,
is of course...
The star of the show...
the main event...
THE banana.
The bananas 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.
but if you are looking for an over-the-top
BANANA flavor, let them be very over-ripe.
Three tips to GREAT banana bread:
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.
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.
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....
...and also good enough to make on a Sunday morning and keep it all for yourself...
well presented homemade treat.
This is a family favorite and most definitely good enough to give as a gift....
...and also good enough to make on a Sunday morning and keep it all for yourself...
The winning banana bread recipe is just below, along with a printable version...
For even more prize-winning recipes...
Because these other recipes are too good not to share...
Please visit:
First Place Apple Pie
a Best of Show and 4 time first-place winner!!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1vcG0k15P0zjXeKJb0jdX7wsnfXCZwnLpTiiUPY2npGcAiRqyx6kMXbCfjjjspkcU7dX-XTOXuXCbuOWre9Lm73K3kedackq7UAFeNHi-mGzDjgXn8iBIXDiskgEpeDiHQOZMlxL_gE/s640/Ohio+state+Fair+Apple+first.jpg)
Or try the carrot cake... a BIG, big winner and a favorite of mine.
(2015 update) This cake won a blue ribbon at the 2015 Ohio State Fair.
Prize-Winning Carrot Cake
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjJbXigV7f_HoWV_DZBjusctLXbZJ_wwwmRNPM8RUaUkKNAvFjouKDDWLyPiv4DsDrwB9us-RSd9So83TI_bONKciEgYZkGBR4zn2Rg3gJ_KPqvj9POyPNzoc7KT4qr_yvuOYVuhLUct-/s1600/blog+title+Best-Carrot-Cake-Prize-Winning+333.jpg)
Here is the recipe for the first place banana bread as promised.
For a printable copy of the recipe: click here