HOME BAKED BANANA BREAD RECIPE

There is something about baking that brings me a sense of serenity. Life is somewhat chaotic this time of year, and I have found that the gathering together of ingredients can also help me to gather together my thoughts and emotions. 

When I was younger I made a lot of homemade bread. I loved the kneading of the dough. It always seemed to ease the troubles of the day. These days it would be difficult to do the necessary kneading of bread because of my arthritis in my fingers, but I find I still enjoy the quiet time alone in my kitchen. So I limit myself to quick breads. 

There is nothing like the smell of something baking in your oven. It evokes memories of family and togetherness. Of arriving home from school on a cold snowy day to find your mother has spent her afternoon baking an afternoon treat for you. Of baking those same treats for your own children. 

When you take the bread from the oven there is something so satisfying in seeing that perfect loaf cooling.

The anticipation of cutting that first perfect piece is a wonderful part of the ritual,

and then there is the reward of sitting down in your chair with your freshly baked bread and a cup of tea, remembering other days of baking, and knowing that it was time well spent.

Banana Bread

original recipe found here

• Prep time: 10 minutes
 
• Cook time: 55 minutes 

INGREDIENTS

• 2-3 very ripe bananas, peeled
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 3/4 cup sugar (1/2 cup if you would like it less sweet, 1 cup if more sweet) (I use natural sugar)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour (I use gluten free flour)

• METHOD

  1 Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), and butter a 4x8-inch loaf pan.
  2 In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until completely smooth. Stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas.
  3 Mix in the baking soda and salt. Stir in the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Mix in the flour.
  4 Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour at 350°F (175°C), or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
  5 Remove from oven and cool completely on a rack. Remove the banana bread from the pan. Slice and serve. (A bread knife helps to make slices that aren't crumbly.)
• Enjoy!