Banana-Nut Bread

A remixed version of my Banana Muffins. I don't own loaf pans; so I used an 8" x 8" pan. This recipe from Good Housekeeping's The Great Bake Sale Cookbook is absolutely delicious. Definitely try it if you're a fan of banana!


Banana-Nut Bread

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups (about 4 medium) ripe bananas
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup nuts (I used 1/2 cup walnuts and 1/2 cup pecans for this recipe.)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Using a toaster oven, toast nuts at setting "Toast 1" for 1-2 minutes and set aside to cool.  Coarsely chop.
3. In medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
4. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy.  
5. Beat in eggs and gradually add flour mixture.
6. Fold in bananas and nuts.  Mix with a spatula.
7. Spray pan with baking oil.  Bake in 8" x 8" for 50-55 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  (Bake in loaf pan for about 1 hour.)  Cool bread in pan for 10 minutes.  Remove and cool completely.