A slice of homemade banana bread makes a cozy treat to share around the kitchen table.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
3–4 cups mashed ripe bananas
½ cup Crisco or vegetable oil
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
Chopped walnuts—as many as you like, optional
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and lightly flour two loaf pans.
Mash the ripe bananas and measure 3–4 cups.
In a large bowl, mix the sugar and Crisco or vegetable oil until well combined.
Beat in the eggs, then stir in the mashed bananas.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture. Stir just until combined; do not overmix.
Fold in the chopped walnuts, if using.
Divide the batter between the two prepared loaf pans and smooth the tops.
Bake for about 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the loaves cool in their pans for 10–15 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack to finish cooling.
Makes approximately 2 loaves.
