Banana Bread

Skill Level: Beginner
Skills Attained: quick bread recipe
Supplies/Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• pinch of salt
• 3 large bananas (mashed)
• mixer (or bowl and spoon)
• medium bowl
• spoon or rubber spatula
• large bread pan (or two smaller bread pans)

What do you do with a bunch of over-ripe bananas lying on the counter? In my home as a child, my mom made banana bread; a staple baked good. If you are new to baking bread, this simple recipe requires standard ingredients and only a few steps. This classic quick bread will be sure to satisfy those taste buds. Let's begin!

First, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Begin making the batter by creaming the sugar and shortening together in an electric mixer until ingredients are combined and the mixture is fluffy. (If you don't have access to an electric mixer, you can certainly mix this by hand.) Yes, I am using shortening and not butter. If you prefer to use a trans-fat free alternative (i.e., butter), it may alter the consistency of the bread.

Add eggs to the creamed mixture.

Combine the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt) in a separate bowl.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture.

Mash the bananas in a separate bowl (I use the same bowl I had the dry ingredients in so that I have fewer dishes to wash.), and add the mashed bananas to the batter.

Stir the mashed bananas into the batter by hand.

Pour the batter into a bread loaf pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 45-50 minutes. If you use two smaller bread pans, reduce the bake time to 35-40 minutes. To see if the bread is done, insert a toothpick into the bread, and if it comes out clean, your bread is finished baking. Be sure not to over-bake.

Here you have the delicious final product: banana bread. Yummy!

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