easy banana bread

Easy banana bread, a super simple bake and a great way of using up those bananas that are looking a little past their best. A great bake for kids.

Our easy banana bread is one of those recipes that we have meant to put on the blog for a long time. Michelle has made this recipe for years, it’s a simple bake. A great cake for beginners, which uses ingredients that most of us have in our store cupboards.

However, when making this bread we recommend not using fresh green or yellow bananas. In fact banana bread is one of the best ways of making use of overripe bananas. The more ripe and blacker the banana the sweeter the bread. I have been know to allow bananas to completely blacken, with the sole purpose of making banana bread. Also worth mentioning, bananas can be frozen. Once past their best, just pop them whole, with the skin on, into the freezer. Take out of the freezer and defrost in a bowl when you are ready to bake.

Recipe steps:

Varying the recipe:

This is a basic recipe, however, one that you can easily adapt. If you like nuts then some chopped walnuts add a lovely crunch to this bread, simply stir through the cake batter before popping it in the loaf tin. Likewise, you can add some milk or dark chocolate chips for a banana and chocolate bread.

Storing the bread:

To keep this bread moist, wrap it in foil and place it in an airtight container. Otherwise the bread will dry out really quickly.

How do I know the banana loaf is cooked?

The simplest method of checking that any loaf or cake is cooked is to use the toothpick method. When the cook time is up, simply insert a toothpick or skewer into the centre of the cake, if it comes out clean it is cooked through and can be removed from the oven. If there is still some cake batter on the toothpick, return the banana loaf to the oven for a little longer.

Can you freeze banana bread?

This simple fruit bread can be easily frozen. Once baked, simply allow to cool thoroughly, before wrapping in grease-proof paper, placing it in a suitable container and popping it in the freezer.

Pin the recipe for later:

Additional recipe suggestions:

If you like this simple bake then try our Orange Sponge Cake, or our Victoria Sponge.

For more baking inspiration, particularly when baking with Children, then have a read of our Ultimate Guide to Baking with Kids, where you will find a wealth of recipes and ideas.

Easy Banana Bread

Easy banana bread, a super simple bake and a great way of using up those bananas that are looking a little past their best. A great bake for kids.

4.88 from 8 votes

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Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 1 hr

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins

Servings: 8 Servings

Calories: 334kcal

Author: Michelle Rolfe

Ingredients

• ▢ 225 g self raising flour
• ▢ 100 g soft butter
• ▢ 50 g soft brown sugar
• ▢ 4 eggs (medium)
• ▢ 4 tbsp golden syrup
• ▢ 4 bananas (overripe (see notes))

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 160 C Fan (180 C non fan) and
• Line a 2lb loaf tin with baking parchment or loaf tin lining.
• In a small bowl, mash the bananas until smooth.
• In a large bowl, add all ingredients, except bananas and mix just until incorporated. Do not over mix as you want to keep some texture in the loaf.
• Add the mashed banana to the batter and mix gently with a fork until incorporated.
• Pour the batter into the prepared loaf tin and bake for 55-60 minutes until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

Notes

Over ripe bananas are best in this loaf as they are softer and stronger in flavour. They also freeze very well. Keep them in the freezer and take out just when you are ready to use as they defrost quickly.

Nutrition Facts

Easy Banana Bread

Amount Per Serving

Calories 334 Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Fat 13g20%

Saturated Fat 7g44%

Cholesterol 109mg36%

Sodium 123mg5%

Potassium 278mg8%

Carbohydrates 49g16%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 22g24%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin A 469IU9%

Vitamin C 5mg6%

Calcium 28mg3%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

• Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only •

Course : Baking

Cuisine : British

Keyword : baking, bread, cake, coffee break, Easy, family, fruit, home baking

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