Amish Banana Bread
Amish Banana Bread is a delicious and moist quick bread that is a popular treat in Amish communities. It is made with ripe bananas, which give it a sweet and fruity flavor, and other simple ingredients that are found in most kitchens.
This bread is a great way to use up overripe bananas and is perfect for breakfast, a snack, or as a dessert.
It can be enjoyed plain or with a spread of butter or jam. Some people also like to add nuts, chocolate chips, or raisins to the batter for an extra burst of flavor and texture.
Overall, this Amish Banana Bread is a simple and delicious recipe that is easy to make and loved by many. So whether you are a fan of traditional Amish recipes or simply looking for a new way to use up ripe bananas, this bread is sure to become a favorite in your household.
Amish Banana Nut Bread
This simple banana bread recipe is delicious with or without nuts. Therefore, if you or someone you're baking for has a nut allergy or simply doesn't enjoy nuts, you can easily omit them and disregard the following suggestions.
But adding nuts to banana bread can enhance the flavor and texture of the bread while also adding some nutritional benefits. And here are a few reasons why you might consider adding nuts to your banana bread:
- Flavor and texture: Nuts add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to banana bread, which can enhance the overall taste and texture of the bread. Walnuts and pecans are common choices for banana bread. But you can experiment with other types of nuts as well.
- Nutritional benefits: Nuts are a good source of protein, healthy fats, and fiber. Adding nuts to your banana bread can increase the nutritional value of the bread and make it a more satisfying snack or breakfast option.
- Variety: Adding nuts to your banana bread can give you more variety and options when it comes to baking. You can experiment with different types of nuts and combinations of nuts to create unique and delicious flavor profiles.
Freeze Overripe Bananas
Whenever I am grocery shopping each week, I always grab a bunch of bananas to have on hand for a quick snack or lunch.
However, I'm not fond of how fast they go from being perfectly yellow and ripe to spotty and brown. I love a nice ripe banana. But once they start to develop spots, I really don't care for them anymore.
And without fail, I end up with one or two bananas that become too ripe before they get eaten. But I hate wasting food, so I always try to find ways to repurpose them. The problem is that most recipes for banana bread or muffins require two or three bananas.
So to solve this problem, I freeze any overripe bananas in a ziplock freezer bag. Once I have a few frozen bananas, I can use them to make delicious banana bread.
When I'm ready to use them, I simply thaw the bananas on the countertop or in the microwave on the defrost setting. As they thaw, they release some liquid, and I usually drain most of it. However, leaving a bit of liquid with the bananas won't hurt either.
Health Benefits of Eating Bananas
Bananas are a nutrient-rich fruit that offers a number of health benefits. Here are some of the key health benefits of bananas:
- Rich in nutrients: Bananas are an excellent source of several important nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, dietary fiber, and manganese. They also contain smaller amounts of other vitamins and minerals, such as calcium and iron.
- Support heart health: The potassium content of bananas may help to regulate blood pressure, which can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Bananas are also a good source of dietary fiber, which is important for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.
- Aid digestion: Bananas are a good source of dietary fiber, which can help to promote healthy digestion and prevent constipation. They also contain enzymes that may help to improve nutrient absorption in the digestive tract.
- Boost energy: Bananas are a good source of carbohydrates, which can provide a quick burst of energy. They also contain natural sugars, which can help to regulate blood sugar levels and prevent energy crashes.
- Improve mood: Bananas contain tryptophan, an amino acid that can help to boost mood and reduce stress. They also contain vitamin B6, which is important for synthesizing the neurotransmitters that regulate mood.
- Support healthy vision: Bananas contain vitamin A, which is important for maintaining healthy vision. They also contain antioxidants that may help to protect against age-related eye diseases.
Bananas are nutritious and delicious fruit that can offer a range of health benefits when consumed as part of a healthy, balanced diet.
But we all understand that consuming baked goods made with flour and sugar is not exactly healthy. However, indulging in something sweet is sometimes hard to resist. So by choosing banana bread, you can at least benefit from the added nutrition that comes with bananas. 🙂
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One Loaf or Two Loaves of Banana Bread
This recipe can be made into one large loaf or two smaller loaves.
I'm honestly not sure if the pans that I use would be considered 9x5" or 8 1/2 x 4 1/2" loaf pans. When measuring they seem like the smaller size, but I always have a hard time knowing how they measure baking dishes (outside edge? or inside?). And they don't always seem to match standard measurements.
But anyway, whenever I make this bread into two loaves, it is not very high. And I end up with two thin loaves.
So I decided to see if I could bake this recipe in only one loaf pan. And yay! It fits into one of my pans (without running over) creating a big loaf.
So if you like small loaves, bake it in two pans. If you prefer a larger loaf, bake it in one. Or you could even bake it in one standard-sized bread pan, and one mini loaf pan.
However, remember that the baking time will vary according to the size of the pan or how full it is. And it also makes a difference in how heavy your pan is.
In my oven, forty-four minutes is perfect when I bake it in two standard-sized pans. But when I bake only one large loaf, it takes at least an hour. (You can always test the bread's doneness with a toothpick.)
That being said, I noticed there was a little difference in the texture of the bread when I baked it in one pan instead of two. It was still amazing! But wasn't quite as moist and fluffy.
Obviously, there can be different variables in baking as to why a recipe doesn't always turn out exactly the same. But I believe that the longer baking time that is required for a large loaf, tends to dry it out a little more.
So for the best results, I suggest baking this banana bread recipe in two pans.
More Amish Bread Recipes
I hope you enjoy this easy Amish banana bread recipe. I'd love to hear from you in the comments below.
Amish Banana Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 large ripe bananas (heaping 1 c.)
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 1/2 c. butter, softened (oil or margarine)
- 1 c. sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 c. all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/2 - 3/4 c. chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°.
- Spray two 8 1/2 x 4 1/2" bread pans with cooking spray and line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a small bowl, mash the bananas and add lemon juice. Set aside.3 large ripe bananas (heaping 1 c.), 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar until well creamed.1/2 c. butter, softened (oil or margarine), 1 c. sugar
- Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well.2 large eggs, 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- Add the mashed bananas and mix.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix only to combine.2 c. all-purpose flour, 1 tsp. baking soda, 1/4 tsp. salt
- Stir in the nuts if desired.1/2 - 3/4 c. chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- Divide between the two prepared loaf pans and bake for 42 - 46 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with only a few crumbs.
- Remove from the oven and let the loaves rest in the pans for about 10 minutes. If needed, use a knife around the edges to loosen the loaves, and they should slide right out.
- Cool, slice, and enjoy. Place into airtight bags or containers. This bread freezes well, to keep some fresh for later.
- This bread is best when served at room temperature. However, it only stays good on the counter for about 2 - 3 days (depending on humidity). But you can refrigerate or freeze it to keep it longer. Just let it come back to room temperature before serving.
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