Old Fashioned Banana Bread

Prep: 15 min Cook: 45 min Serves: 4 Cuisine: American

A moist, flavorful banana bread with ripe bananas and a hint of sweetness, perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert. Suitable for banana lovers and home bakers.

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter or margarine
  • 2 eggs
  • 4 tablespoons sour milk or sweet milk with 1 teaspoon vinegar
  • dash of salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 cups flour
  • 3 ripe bananas
  • nuts (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cream sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
  2. Add eggs and beat until mixture is lemony.
  3. Mix sour milk with baking soda until foamy.
  4. Add the sour milk mixture to the creamed mixture.
  5. Stir in salt and flour.
  6. Fold in mashed bananas.
  7. Pour batter into greased and floured loaf pans.
  8. Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes.

Tips & Substitutions

For a richer flavor, consider using brown sugar instead of white sugar. If you don't have sour milk, mixing regular milk with vinegar or lemon juice works well. To enhance the texture, try adding chopped nuts or even chocolate chips to the batter. For a twist, you can incorporate spices like cinnamon or nutmeg. This recipe is forgiving, so feel free to adapt it to your taste.

Serving Suggestions

Slice and serve the banana bread warm or at room temperature. It pairs beautifully with a pat of butter or a drizzle of honey. For a delightful breakfast, enjoy it alongside a cup of coffee or tea. You can also serve it with yogurt and fresh fruit for a balanced meal. This banana bread makes a great addition to brunch gatherings, alongside dishes like Glorious Morning Muffins.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply slice and warm in the microwave for a few seconds or toast it lightly for a crispy exterior while keeping the inside moist.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Old Fashioned Banana Bread contains roughly 1413 calories, with 11g protein, 95g carbohydrates, and 113g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (23% of the Daily Value) and potassium (23% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1789mg per serving (78% of the Daily Value).

1413 kcal 71% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 11.5g 23% DV
Total Fat 112.9g 100% DV
Carbs 94.6g 34% DV
Fiber 1.4g 5% DV
Sugar 0.2g

Electrolytes

Sodium 1788.7mg 78% DV
Potassium 1069.4mg 23% DV
Cholesterol 289.5mg 97% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 19.4mcg 2% DV
Vitamin C 11.1mg 12% DV
Calcium 116.4mg 9% DV
Iron 2.2mg 12% DV
Contains Milk Egg Wheat/Gluten

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?

Absolutely! Frozen bananas work well in banana bread. Just thaw them completely, drain any excess liquid, and mash them before adding to the batter. This is a great way to utilize overripe bananas that you may have stored in your freezer.

How can I make banana bread healthier?

To make a healthier version, consider substituting half of the flour with whole wheat flour. You can also reduce the sugar slightly or use a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup. Adding in oats or seeds can boost the nutritional content without compromising flavor.

What can I do if my banana bread is too dense?

If your banana bread turns out too dense, it may be due to overmixing or using overly ripe bananas. Make sure to mix the batter just until combined. Additionally, check that your baking soda is fresh, as old leavening agents can affect the rise of the bread.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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