Are you craving a warm, comforting treat that’s also incredibly easy to make? Look no further than this fantastic banana bread recipe, cleverly incorporating the convenience of Pillsbury ingredients! This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, weekend baking adventures, or anytime you need a dose of homemade happiness. Forget complicated recipes and enjoy the simple pleasure of a perfectly moist and flavorful banana bread. This is one of those delicious dishes that's both satisfying and surprisingly quick to whip up. It's a perfect example of homemade cooking at its finest.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups Pillsbury Best All Purpose Flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
- Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions:
Get Started:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan. This simple step ensures your banana bread releases easily from the pan.
Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Having your dry ingredients measured and ready to go streamlines the baking process.
Cream Butter and Sugars:
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This step incorporates air into the batter, resulting in a lighter texture. An electric mixer makes this step a breeze!
Add Wet Ingredients:
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Make sure everything is well combined before moving on to the next step.
Combine Wet and Dry:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.
Add Bananas and Nuts (optional):
- Gently fold in the mashed bananas and nuts (if using). The gentler you are, the less your banana bread will be dense.
Bake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on your banana bread during the last 10-15 minutes of baking to prevent over-browning.
Cool and Enjoy:
- Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows the bread to set properly.
Cooking Tips for the Best Banana Bread:
- Use very ripe bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be. Overripe bananas are perfect for this recipe!
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough bread.
- Check for doneness: Use a toothpick or wooden skewer to check if the bread is fully baked. It should come out clean when inserted into the center.
- Let it cool completely: Allowing the bread to cool completely before slicing prevents it from crumbling.
Variations:
- Chocolate Chip Banana Bread: Add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the batter.
- Spiced Banana Bread: Add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon of cloves to the dry ingredients.
- Gluten-Free Banana Bread: Substitute Pillsbury Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour for the regular flour.
Nutritional Information (per slice, approximate):
Calories: 250-300 Fat: 10-12g Carbohydrates: 35-40g Sugar: 15-20g Protein: 4-5g
Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
This easy banana bread recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It's a fantastic recipe for quick dinner ideas or a delightful dessert. Enjoy!