Banana bread is one of the easiest breads to make. It’s quick, it requires no yeast and you most likely already own most of the equipment you need to bake it. Plus, it’s a great way to use up those bananas that are going brown on your counter. Here’s everything you need to whip up freshly baked banana bread for a bake sale or a special breakfast.
In this article: KitchenAid Gourmet Stainless Steel Wire Masher, OXO Good Grips 2-Cup Adjustable Measuring Cup and Anchor Hocking Glass Mixing Bowls
Banana bread is classified as a quick bread, which means it is made without yeast and doesn’t need time to proof or rise. Simply mix up the batter and it’s ready to go in the oven.
Along with basic ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs and baking soda, you’ll need a few medium-sized, overripe bananas. They should be yellow with some brown spots and feel soft. Bananas that are too underripe or green haven’t developed enough sugars to taste good in banana bread.
Bananas emit a plant hormone known as ethylene, which ripens fruits by converting stored starches into sugars. If needed, the ripening process can be accelerated by storing your bananas in a paper bag for a day or so. The paper bag won’t trap moisture and promote mold growth, but it will trap enough ethylene gas to make the bananas ripen more quickly.
If your bananas are already ripe but not yet soft and overripe, you can take them over the edge by baking them. Place your unpeeled bananas on a baking sheet, and cook them for about 30 minutes in the oven at 300 degrees. Once they’ve cooled down, they’ll be slightly sweeter and soft enough to mash and bake with.
There are hundreds of banana bread recipes out there, but most of them follow the same basic structure. You can customize your recipe in a few ways:
First, preheat your oven to the specified temperature. Make sure you have the right number of loaf pans (some recipes can make two loaves at once), and grease the insides.
Mix your dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl, then combine the wet ingredients (usually eggs, oil, sugar, vanilla and bananas) in a second bowl. Your recipe may call for an electric mixer, but most banana bread recipes can be mixed by hand. Once the batter is just combined, pour it into the prepared loaf pans. Bake for the designated amount of time until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the bread cool in the pans on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes, then remove the loaves. Place them on the rack to fully cool before enjoying.
KitchenAid Gourmet Stainless Steel Wire Masher
This solid, sturdy masher can make quick work of ripe bananas. It’s dishwasher-safe and designed to reduce hand fatigue while mashing.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Kohl's
OXO Good Grips 2-Cup Adjustable Measuring Cup
This clever tool makes measuring out sticky or liquid ingredients, such as mashed banana, sour cream and honey, easier. Twist the cylinders so the silicone base aligns with your desired measurement, then use it as a plunger to press every drop into your recipe.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
KitchenAid Classic Measuring Cups
These colorful, sturdy plastic measuring cups feature rubberized handles for better grip. They are dishwasher-safe and have their measurements stamped prominently on the handles.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Kohl's
Anchor Hocking Glass Mixing Bowls, Set of 10
Made from thick, durable tempered glass, these nesting mixing bowls can help you prep ingredients and mix up large batches of baked goods. The smallest bowl holds 1 ounce and the largest holds 3.5 quarts.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
OXO Good Grips 11-Inch Silicone Balloon Whisk
The silicone-coated wires in this generously sized whisk will protect your nonstick cookware from scratches and prevent dough from sticking to the whisk. The soft, nonslip handle is comfortable to hold, and the whisk is dishwasher-safe.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
USA Pan Bakeware Aluminized Steel Loaf Pan
Featuring corrugated steel alloy and a PFOA- an BPA-free silicone nonstick coating, this loaf pan helps bread bake evenly and release from the pan with ease. It measures 8.5 by 4.5 by 2.75 inches.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Sur la Table
Wilton Excelle Elite 3-Tier Cooling Rack
This set of three cooling racks folds up for easier storage, and they stack up to help save space when you have to cool batches of cookies. They are made with a durable nonstick coating and measure 15.9 by 9.9 inches.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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