I had some very ripe bananas on the counter this weekend and instead of making green smoothies I thought I'd make some banana bread. I haven't made Mom's recipe in a long time. I tried that "healthier" version a little while ago but forgot to put in the applesauce.
So here it is. I've added a few things to her recipe.
3 VERY ripe bananas (you don't want them black but with a sufficient amount of spots. The riper the sweeter.)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter or shortening (I use butter, softened)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
pinch of salt
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
chopped pecans (optional, but they make it soooooo much better!)
Mash bananas. Cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer. Add eggs and vanilla, mix. In a separate bowl, combine four, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg. Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir. Fold in pecans. Grease a loaf pan with shortening or spray with Pam. Bake on 325-400 for 50 minutes to 1 hour.
The bake time and temp all depends on your oven. I had to bake it at 350 for 30 minutes then turned it down to 325 for 40 minutes. If it looks like the top is getting too brown and there is a lot of time left, turn it down or cover with foil so the top stops browning.
Also, do not over mix when you combine wet and dry ingredients. Over mixing will make the bread tough! When mixing I stir until almost all the flour is combined and that's when I fold in the pecans. You don't want to beat the tar out of it and then stir in the pecans. Just like muffins, you barely want it mixed.
After 1 hour, poke in a toothpick. If it comes out clean, take it out. If batter is still sticking to the toothpick put it back in for a few minutes at a time. Oh, and don't leave your oven door open! You'll let out all the hot! Take the pan out really fast and close the door to test then put it back in.
Now, for the best part. I swear, this is the best part! If you've never had banana bread with a glaze on it you aren't living.
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
(sometimes I add a splash of vanilla)
Stir together until smooth and pour over warm bread before cutting.
ENJOY!! I grew up on this stuff. I know it looks like a lot of butter and sugar but, go on, try it!
