In this season of fires in the fireplace and candles on the table, more comfort food comes to mind.
When you are the oldest of seven children you learn to cook early in life. This was a good thing. The first time I made this banana bread I was in the fourth grade. It came out picture perfect. It smelled heavenly. It is best right out of the oven, sliced and slathered with melted butter.
In fourth grade, I wrote down the recipe on a card and I have been using this same recipe card ever since. It still has my fourth grade hand writing on it! Of course the recipe card is now faded, yellowed and splattered with batter droplets.
My own children enjoyed it, as did guests when served topped with berries and whipped cream, yogurt or vanilla ice cream. I have drizzled it with frosting and sprinkled warmed slices with powdered sugar. I have spread cream cheese between two thin slices and serve it as small sandwiches.
You can exchange the bananas for zuchini or cranberries. Or replace half the sugar with orange juice. This is a no-fail recipe. You can be sure of it because even a fourth grader can do it!
Here is the original recipe:
In a bowl beat 2 eggs ’till fluffy, add 1 stick softened butter, 1 (or reduce to 1/2) cup sugar and 2 large or 3 medium ripe bananas. Slowly add blended dry ingredients: 2 cups flour, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 cup nuts (optional). Turn into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 375F for 45-60 minutes.
That’s it. My fourth grade nose can smell it even now . . .
You may also like Spaetzle-German Mac & Cheese, Crispy Potatoes and Winter Comfort Food.
DH here: This bread can cause problems! You may experience an uncontrollable urge to stuff a whole 9 inch banana bread right into your mouth – at once, all the while drooling and “oohing” and “ahhhing” … Beware! Eat at your own risk!
Enjoy. It is every bit as good-tasting as the picture is trying to convey.
–awm