Leave it to southerners to find a way to make something delicious out of rotting fruit. Alright so “ripe” bananas aren’t exactly rotting but if you’ve seen the state of some bananas that have been behind this moist and delicious creation, you’d know what I mean.
I honestly don’t know anyone who doesn’t make banana bread on a regular basis. We see bananas going bad on our counter and our hands are already reaching for the flour. I’m certain this is another example to support my theory that all of the best southern dishes came about from the whole yankees-trying-to-starve us thing.
Banana bread always makes me think of these jade fire king dishes that I have (and use often in my photographs). Back in the early eighties, my mother took up an interest in collecting antique dishes. She mostly collected the pink cabbage rose depression glass, which was pretty expensive. I was her tag along to most of the antique shops and so she decided to include me in the collecting process by starting a set of dishes for me which we could then go on the hunt for. At the time, Fire King Jade-ite had flooded the antique stores and were literally the cheapest dishes to acquire. I ended up with a great set which I have had for about twenty years now. Little did we know that Martha Stewart would make them as popular as they are today.
Umm…I had a point here. Oh yeah, fourth grade, 4-H bake off. I made banana bread. We had to set up a presentation of it and Mama got a dark green tablecloth, placed the loaf on a large Jadeite platter with a slice on a jadeite saucer. We stayed with it all day while the judges came by to taste and view our presentation. It was a fun day. I didn’t win, but I did win third place in the whole county for an apron I made that year and as usual, won the spelling bee. ~grins~ (How sad was it that I just bragged on my spelling bee win in fourth grade like it was still a big deal today?)
The line up: Sugar, Bananas, Pecans (optional), Eggs, Margarine, Self Rising Flour, Milk, Vanilla. If you don’t have self rising flour available where you life, go to the bottom of my post on buttermilk biscuits to see how to make your own! 😀
Lightly mix in chopped pecans.
Now, go hide a loaf of this because TOMORROW I am going to show you something positively SINFUL to do with leftover banana bread!
UPDATE: This was posted a few years ago so here are the links to what to do with the leftover banana bread (If you have any!)
Banana Bread Pudding Sundae
Banana Bread French Toast
- 2 Cups sugar
- 1 Cups milk
- 1 Cups chopped nuts (optional)
- 3 Cups self rising flour
- ½ cup butter or margarine, softened
- 2 eggs
- 3 bananas
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Place peeled bananas in mixing bowl, add sugar. Mix until bananas are liquefied.
- Add margarine, mix until creamed together with banana mixture. Add all other ingredients and blend well.
- Pour into two greased and floured loaf pans and bake for one hour at 350.
Yum 
What size loaf pans do you use for this recipe?
My husband requested banana bread instead of birthday cake. I’ve never been successful with previous attempts. Because I trust you best for any recipe, I chose this. Husband said it was perfect. Thank you for another keeper.
Oh my goodness, that just made my day!!! I am so glad he liked it, thank you so much Leslie!!!
My favorite. I bake this for my birthday ever year. My wife does not cook so I make it myself. I top it off with a peanut butter icng .
Long time till my birthday but i sure am getting hungry for this cake.
Jim
I think you should celebrate any time you feel like it. Go make that bread and enjoy!!!
My 7 year old daughter and I made this bread together last night for the first time. It was so easy to make and was a huge hit, both at home and at the office this morning! My co-worker even said it was better than her mother-in-law’s, which is a huge compliment! Thank you for all your fantastic recipes!
Oh my goodness, that is a wonderful compliment!! So glad everyone enjoyed it!!!
I just found that banana bread recipe a couple of hours ago. I have made it and just ate a warmpiece of it. I have a ton of banana bread recipes , but sweet Christy that’s the very best. Thank you,
Oh my goodness, thank you so much Linda!!!!
When did you add the milk??
In step # 2 of the instructions. It says: “Add all other ingredients and blend well”.
I noticed you had some mini loaves – how long would you cook them?
Can I use butter?..
Sure.
JoAnn says
May 17, 2017 at 4:27 pm
I noticed you had some mini loaves – how long would you cook them?
Just a little less than the whole loaves, I don’t know the exact time I just check on them at about 30-40 minutes. It is going to depend entirely on the size of the mini loaf pan you use, they vary a lot.
Can I freeze this bread? Btw this I should by far the absolute best banana bread I’ve ever made. My mom and husband request is regularly.
Oh thank you!!! Yes, it freezes beautifully. I like to make it in muffins and freeze it that way 🙂 But whole loaves freeze and slices, just make sure you seal it well. 🙂 Hope you’re having a good week!
Hello Ms. Christy, I used your banana bread recipe for my husband. He really loved it and so did I.
Thank you so much Monique, I am so glad y’all like it!!!
i cook this in a bundt pan so it is like a cake…it is wonderful!!!!
What a great idea Elaine!!
Just made this. It was wonderful but I made some additions for my family. I added milled flax seed and blue berries! It was a wonderful “grab on the go breakfast” for my family. Thank you for the easy recipe.
Great idea Doris!!
Beginner cook here. I tried 2 other banana bread recipes and they didn’t go well. This one was perfect and a keeper. Thanks!
I am so glad to hear it turned out for you Clair!!!