Ultimate Banana Walnut Bread
This Ultimate Banana Walnut Bread is a delightful treat that brings the warmth of home baking to your kitchen. Perfect for kids and adults alike, it’s a family favorite that showcases the natural sweetness of ripe bananas and the crunch of walnuts. Crafted to be both easy to follow and deliciously satisfying, this recipe serves as an excellent introduction to baking for children, allowing them to learn and enjoy the process of making something special from scratch. Whether enjoyed as a breakfast option, a snack, or a dessert, this bread is sure to impress your family and friends and surpass anything you can buy from the store or a package mix.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter or margarine
1/2 cup (softened)
sugar
1 cup
egg
1 (beaten)
all-purpose flour
2 cups (sifted)
baking powder
1 teaspoon
baking soda
1/2 teaspoon
mashed banana
1 cup (ripe)
milk
3 tablespoons
chopped walnuts
1/2 cup (optional)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Grease a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray, ensuring even coverage.
3
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter or margarine with the sugar and the beaten egg until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
4
In a separate bowl, combine the mashed bananas and milk, mixing until smooth.
5
On a piece of wax paper, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and baking soda.
6
Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the banana-milk mixture. Mix until just combined; be careful not to overmix.
7
Gently fold in the chopped walnuts until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
8
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top springs back when lightly pressed.
10
Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and cool on a wire rack for about 5 minutes.
11
Carefully turn the bread out onto the rack to cool completely before slicing.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ultimate Banana Walnut Bread?
Ultimate Banana Walnut Bread is a delightful homemade quick bread featuring the natural sweetness of ripe bananas and the crunch of walnuts.
How many bananas do I need for 1 cup of mashed banana?
To get 1 cup of mashed banana, you will typically need about 2 to 3 medium-sized ripe bananas.
What temperature should I preheat the oven to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) before baking the bread.
What size loaf pan is required for this recipe?
You should use a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan for this banana bread recipe.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, you can use either 1/2 cup of softened butter or margarine.
How long does the banana bread need to bake?
The bread typically takes approximately 1 hour to bake in the preheated oven.
Is this recipe suitable for children?
Yes, it is an excellent recipe for kids to learn the process of baking from scratch.
How do I know when the banana bread is finished baking?
The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top springs back when lightly pressed.
Is it necessary to sift the flour?
Yes, sifting the all-purpose flour with the baking powder and soda helps ensure an even distribution and light texture.
Are walnuts required for this recipe?
No, the 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts is optional and can be omitted if desired.
Why should I alternate adding dry and wet ingredients?
Alternating dry and wet ingredients helps prevent overmixing, which ensures the bread remains tender.
What type of flour should I use?
This recipe calls for 2 cups of sifted all-purpose flour.
How long should the bread cool in the pan?
Allow the bread to cool on a wire rack for about 5 minutes before removing it from the pan.
Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?
Yes, frozen bananas work well; just thaw them and drain any excess liquid before mashing.
How should I store the leftover bread?
Wrap the cooled bread in plastic wrap or foil and store it at room temperature for a few days or in the refrigerator.
Can I freeze this banana bread?
Yes, you can freeze the bread by wrapping it tightly in foil and placing it in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Can I use whole wheat flour instead?
You can substitute some of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat, but the bread will have a denser texture.
What can I use if I do not have milk?
You can substitute milk with water or a dairy-free milk alternative like almond or soy milk.
Why did my banana bread sink in the middle?
Sinking usually happens if the bread is underbaked or if the batter was overmixed.
Can I make muffins using this batter?
Yes, you can pour the batter into muffin tins and bake at 350°F for 18 to 22 minutes.
How can I make the bread even moister?
Using very ripe, brown-speckled bananas provides the best moisture and natural sweetness.
Can I add chocolate chips to the batter?
Yes, you can gently fold in chocolate chips along with the chopped walnuts if desired.
Do the bananas need to be very ripe?
Yes, ripe bananas are easier to mash and provide much better flavor and sweetness for the bread.
What happens if I overmix the batter?
Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, resulting in a tough or rubbery bread.
Can I use an egg substitute?
Yes, you can use common egg substitutes like a flax egg or 1/4 cup of applesauce.
Can I use brown sugar instead of white sugar?
Yes, using brown sugar will result in a slightly moister bread with a deeper molasses flavor.
Why does the recipe use both baking powder and baking soda?
Both act as leavening agents to help the bread rise, reacting with the other ingredients in the mix.
How should I grease the loaf pan?
You should grease the pan with butter or cooking spray to ensure even coverage so the bread doesn't stick.
Is it necessary to beat the butter and sugar for 3 to 5 minutes?
Yes, beating them until light and fluffy incorporates air, which helps the bread have a better structure.
Can I use other types of nuts instead of walnuts?
Certainly, pecans or chopped almonds make great substitutes for walnuts in this recipe.