Lela’s Banana Nut Bread Recipe ππ
Description: Not-too-sweet nut bread. Delicious with softened cream cheese, and with a cup of hot chocolate. My mother made these to give to friends at Christmas.
Recipe Category: Breads
Keywords: Fruit, Christmas, Weeknight, For Large Groups, Oven, < 4 Hours
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 15
Yield: 2 small loaves
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1/2 cup | Oleo (shortening) |
| 1 cup | Sugar |
| 2 | Eggs |
| 1 | Baking soda |
| 1 | Baking powder |
| 2 cups | Plain flour |
| 1/2 tsp | Salt |
| 3 – 4 | Bananas |
| 4 | Buttermilk |
| 1/2 tsp | Vanilla flavoring |
| 1 cup | Pecans |
Directions:
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Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350Β°F (175Β°C). Grease and flour two loaf pans, ensuring they are well-prepared for the batter.
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Creaming Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the sugar and shortening until smooth and fluffy.
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Incorporating Eggs: Add the eggs to the creamed mixture one at a time, beating well after each addition.
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Sifting Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures even distribution of leavening agents and removes any lumps.
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Mashing Bananas: Mash the bananas until smooth. You can use a fork or a potato masher for this step.
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Combining Ingredients: To the creamed mixture, alternately add the mashed bananas and buttermilk, followed by the sifted dry ingredients. Mix well after each addition.
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Adding Flavors: Stir in the vanilla flavoring and chopped pecans until evenly distributed throughout the batter. The nuts add a delightful crunch and flavor to the bread.
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Baking: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pans, dividing it evenly between the two pans. Place them in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Monitoring: Keep an eye on the loaves as they bake to ensure they don’t become too brown. If necessary, you can cover them loosely with aluminum foil during the last few minutes of baking.
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Cooling and Serving: Once baked, remove the loaves from the oven and allow them to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Serving Suggestions: Lela’s Banana Nut Bread is best enjoyed when slightly warm with a generous spread of softened cream cheese. Serve it alongside a steaming cup of hot chocolate for a comforting treat.
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Gifting Tradition: Just like Lela, consider sharing these delightful loaves with friends and family, especially during the festive Christmas season. They make for thoughtful and delicious gifts that are sure to be appreciated by all who receive them.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 245.3
- Fat Content: 12.2g
- Saturated Fat: 1.8g
- Cholesterol Content: 28.2mg
- Sodium Content: 267.8mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 31.9g
- Fiber: 1.7g
- Sugar: 16.2g
- Protein Content: 3.6g
Lela’s Banana Nut Bread combines the wholesome goodness of ripe bananas with the richness of pecans, creating a delightful treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether enjoyed as a quick breakfast, a satisfying snack, or a heartfelt gift, this recipe is sure to become a cherished favorite in your home.
