Grandma's Irresistible Banana Bliss Bread
Bring the warmth of home baking into your kitchen with Grandma's Irresistible Banana Bliss Bread. This family-favored delight combines the rich sweetness of very ripe bananas and brown sugar with a hint of vanilla, all enveloped in a luscious loaf that melts in your mouth. The addition of ground pecans and miniature semisweet chocolate chips adds delightful texture and bursts of flavor in every slice. Originally inspired by a beloved recipe from a Paula Deen magazine, this banana bread may seem complex, but it's remarkably straightforward. Whether baked in traditional loaf pans or flexible bundt pans, this luscious treat is sure to please a crowd. Perfect for sharing with family and friends, you'll want to have an extra loaf on hand because it won’t last long!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Very ripe bananas
6 (mashed)
Vanilla extract
2 tablespoons (not required)
Firmly packed brown sugar
2 cups (not required)
Vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups (not required)
Sour cream
1 cup (not required)
Large eggs
4 (beaten)
All-purpose flour
3 1/2 cups (not required)
Baking soda
2 teaspoons (not required)
Baking powder
2 teaspoons (not required)
Salt
1 teaspoon (not required)
Ground pecans
1 cup (not required)
Miniature semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups (not required)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 6x9 inch loaf pans or two flexible bundt pans.
2
In a small bowl, mash the very ripe bananas together with the vanilla extract until smooth.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the firmly packed brown sugar, vegetable oil, sour cream, and eggs. Stir the mixture until all ingredients are well blended.
4
In a separate medium bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
5
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix.
6
Fold in the mashed banana mixture, ground pecans, and miniature semisweet chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
7
Pour the batter into the prepared pans, making sure to fill each one evenly.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9
Once baked, allow the bread to cool in the pans for 15 minutes. Then, carefully remove from pans and transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Grandma's Irresistible Banana Bliss Bread?
Grandma's Irresistible Banana Bliss Bread is a family-favored loaf that combines the sweetness of very ripe bananas and brown sugar with pecans and miniature semisweet chocolate chips.
How many bananas are needed for this recipe?
You will need 6 very ripe bananas, which should be mashed before being added to the batter.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) before baking the bread.
How long does the banana bread need to bake?
The bread should bake for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.
What kind of pans can I use for this recipe?
You can use two 6x9 inch loaf pans or two flexible bundt pans for this recipe.
Does this recipe use brown or white sugar?
This recipe uses 2 cups of firmly packed brown sugar for a rich sweetness.
Are there nuts in Grandma's Irresistible Banana Bliss Bread?
Yes, the recipe includes 1 cup of ground pecans for added texture and flavor.
What kind of chocolate chips should I use?
The recipe specifies 2 cups of miniature semisweet chocolate chips.
Is sour cream used in this banana bread?
Yes, 1 cup of sour cream is included in the wet ingredients to ensure a moist texture.
How many eggs are required?
The recipe calls for 4 large eggs, which should be beaten before mixing.
What is the source of inspiration for this recipe?
This recipe was originally inspired by a beloved recipe from a Paula Deen magazine.
How should I prepare the bananas?
The bananas should be very ripe and mashed together with 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract until smooth.
Can I use vegetable oil in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe requires 1 1/2 cups of vegetable oil.
How much flour is needed?
You will need 3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour.
Should I mix the dry and wet ingredients separately?
Yes, you should combine the wet ingredients in a large bowl and the dry ingredients in a separate medium bowl before gradually mixing them together.
Is it okay to over-mix the batter?
No, you should stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients gently until just combined to avoid over-mixing.
What leavening agents are used?
The recipe uses both 2 teaspoons of baking soda and 2 teaspoons of baking powder.
How long should the bread cool after baking?
Allow the bread to cool in the pans for 15 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
Does this recipe make one or two loaves?
This recipe makes two loaves or two bundt cakes, which is perfect for sharing.
What type of salt should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of standard salt.
What is the texture of the bread?
It is a luscious, moist loaf that melts in your mouth with added texture from pecans and chocolate chips.
Can I use regular pecans instead of ground ones?
The recipe specifies ground pecans, but you could use finely chopped pecans if you prefer more crunch.
When do I add the chocolate chips?
The chocolate chips should be folded in along with the mashed bananas and ground pecans at the very end of the mixing process.
How much vanilla extract is used?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract for a rich aromatic flavor.
Is this recipe considered difficult?
While it may seem complex, the recipe is actually remarkably straightforward.
How do I ensure the bread doesn't stick to the pan?
Make sure to grease your loaf pans or flexible bundt pans thoroughly before pouring in the batter.
What color should the bananas be?
The bananas should be very ripe, typically with plenty of brown spots, for maximum sweetness and ease of mashing.
Can this be made in a single large bundt pan?
The recipe is designed for two 6x9 loaf pans or two bundt pans; a single pan might overflow or require significantly adjusted baking times.
Is it necessary to use miniature chocolate chips?
Miniature chips provide a more even distribution of chocolate throughout the bread, though standard chips can be substituted.
How should I store the finished bread?
Once completely cooled, store the bread in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to maintain moisture.