Adding mashed, very ripe bananas to a cake-like batter is what gives banana bread its distinctive delicious taste and moistness. What better opportunity to enjoy a slice with a hot cup of tea, coffee, or thick smear of peanut butter or cream cheese than on Banana Bread Day?
Banana bread first started to become popular back in the 1930s, during the Great Depression. Cultural historians suggest that resourceful and creative housewives of the era created the recipe as a way of not wasting over-ripe bananas. In fact, the riper the bananas, the better the taste of the banana bread. A very clever way to use up all the uneaten and clearly overripe bananas! Traditionally it’s known as a “quick bread,” but is actually more like a cake in both texture and flavor.
Extremely easy to make with staples found in most pantries, banana bread remains a favorite way to quickly bake up a special treat for the family. Modern-day bread also includes the addition of chocolate chips, nuts, or even dried fruit. Why not experiment and come up with a bespoke banana bread recipe that your family will love?
We all have that one special cookbook where the pages are tattered and splattered, with corners bent on that one favorite recipe or two. One of my go-to’s is James Beard’s Banana Bread recipe.
With or without nuts, this recipe is always a winner in our house.