Are you craving a warm, comforting treat that's both incredibly easy to make and unbelievably delicious? Look no further! This banana bread recipe, featuring the magic of sweetened condensed milk, is your answer. It's the perfect blend of moist, sweet, and subtly spiced banana bread, guaranteed to become a new favorite in your kitchen. Forget those complicated baking recipes; this one is quick, simple, and perfect for even the busiest weeknights. Let's get baking!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions:
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Preheat & Prep: 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 and beautifully.
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Cream Together: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sweetened condensed milk until light and fluffy. This is best achieved using an electric mixer, but a sturdy whisk will also work.
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Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and mashed bananas. Make sure the bananas are well mashed for a smooth batter.
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Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
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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. Overmixing can result in a tough bread.
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Add Nuts (Optional): Stir in the chopped nuts, if using.
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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.
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Cool & Enjoy: Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy warm or at room temperature – it's delicious either way!
Tips for the Best Banana Bread:
- Use very ripe bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be. Brown spots are your friend!
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a tough bread. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined.
- Check for doneness: Start checking for doneness around the 50-minute mark. Every oven is different, so adjust baking time as needed.
- Cool completely: Allowing the bread to cool completely helps it set and prevents it from becoming crumbly.
Variations:
- Chocolate Chip Banana Bread: Add ½ cup of chocolate chips along with the nuts.
- Spiced Banana Bread: Add a pinch of nutmeg and allspice to the dry ingredients for a warm, autumnal flavor.
- Gluten-Free Banana Bread: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend.
Nutritional Information (per slice, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 250-300
- Fat: 12-15g
- Saturated Fat: 7-9g
- Carbohydrates: 35-40g
- Sugar: 15-20g
- Protein: 3-4g
This simple yet delicious banana bread recipe is perfect for breakfast, brunch, an afternoon snack, or even dessert. It's a versatile, crowd-pleasing treat that's sure to become a staple in your recipe collection. Enjoy!