Mom’s Banana Bread

The history of Banana Bread is quite the story!  Banana Bread became popular for two reasons. 

Reason 1 - Banana bread was first created during the great depression.  The reason is quite simple people needed to use every scrap of every food available...even overripe bananas. 

Reason 2 - The mass marketing of Baking Powder created the new recipes called, "Quick Bread." These loaves of bread were quick because they didn't use yeast that took time to rise.   Banana bread made sense with the bold flavor of bananas and the basic recipe of quick bread.  

Over the years the Banana Bread recipe has changed to meet the tastes of that generation.  From adding dollops of jam to using cinnamon and nutmeg, the recipes you can find are numerous.  The recipe I use is simple and uses ingredients you almost always have readily available in your pantry. 

The one thing I just love about banana bread is the ability to create so many variations of the same recipe.  The recipe I supply is the basic recipe, but there are so many ways to change it up for the occasion or season.  In this recipe, my secret ingredient in this recipe is vanilla extract.  However, in the fall I will spice it up with pumpkin spices and in the summer I freshen it up with lemon juice and lemon rind.  The possibilities are endless with this recipe.  

CategoryDifficultyBeginner

Mom's Banana Nut Bread is the first recipe I ever remember baking as a child. This easy to prepare recipe will make any newcomer to baking into an instant baker!

Mom's Banana Nut Bread Feature Image
Yields8 Servings
Prep Time15 minsCook Time50 minsTotal Time1 hr 5 mins
 2 cups Ripe, Mashed Bananas
  cup Melted Butter
 1 tsp Baking Soda
 ¼ tsp Salt
 ¾ cup Sugar
 1 Egg
 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
 1 ½ cups Flour
 1 cup Chopped Nuts (walnuts or pecans)
Method
1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter a 4x8 inch loaf pan

Banana Nut Bread

2

In a large mixing bowl, add mashed bananas and melted butter. Using a spoon, stir mixture until well blended.

3

Stir in sugar, baking soda and salt until well blended.

4

Stir in egg and vanilla until well blended.

5

Stir in flour until mixture is well blended.

6

Optional - Stir in one cup of chopped nuts.

7

Pour the batter into the prepared 4X8 inch loaf pan. Place on middle rack in preheated oven. Bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Do you have a great idea to change up this Banana Bread recipe?  Please let me know in the comments!

Read more about the history of Banana Bread HERE

Ingredients

 2 cups Ripe, Mashed Bananas
  cup Melted Butter
 1 tsp Baking Soda
 ¼ tsp Salt
 ¾ cup Sugar
 1 Egg
 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
 1 ½ cups Flour
 1 cup Chopped Nuts (walnuts or pecans)

Directions

Method
1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter a 4x8 inch loaf pan

Banana Nut Bread

2

In a large mixing bowl, add mashed bananas and melted butter. Using a spoon, stir mixture until well blended.

3

Stir in sugar, baking soda and salt until well blended.

4

Stir in egg and vanilla until well blended.

5

Stir in flour until mixture is well blended.

6

Optional - Stir in one cup of chopped nuts.

7

Pour the batter into the prepared 4X8 inch loaf pan. Place on middle rack in preheated oven. Bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Mom’s Banana Bread

10 Comments

  1. Lana April 10, 2019 at 8:43 pm

    Yum!! This sounds so good. I love a good Banana Bread. I love it warm with a little bit of butter! I am going to have to try this out!

    Reply
    1. Midwest Recipes April 11, 2019 at 3:50 pm

      Isn’t that the only way to eat Banana Bread? Warm with butter!

      Reply
  2. Jennifer March 12, 2019 at 7:52 pm

    Yum, this is giving me a craving for some banana bread! I miss my mom’s banana bread, she’s visiting this week so maybe I’ll get her to make me a loaf 😉

    Reply
  3. Sandy March 9, 2019 at 3:32 pm

    Perfect timing Linda! I was just saying I needed a recipe for our over-ripe ‘nanners.

    Reply
  4. Lusine March 8, 2019 at 6:43 pm

    Congratulations on your new blog, Linda! I love everything here, it feels like home and this recipe is too simple and well-explained not to be given a try.

    Reply
    1. Midwest Recipes March 11, 2019 at 1:17 pm

      Thank you! If you make it let me know how it turns out!

      Reply
  5. connie jacquette March 7, 2019 at 5:53 pm

    Mmmm looks nice and easy! I’ll be making this soon!

    Reply
    1. Midwest Recipes March 7, 2019 at 6:32 pm

      Thank Connie! It is really quick and easy! Send me a picture of yours and let me know what you think!

      Reply

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