This is the best banana bread ever! I know, I know, people don't like it when you claim something is the best. Everyone has their own opinions and has their own favorite recipes. Plus there are tons and tons of banana bread recipes in existence and there is no way to try them all to prove my point, but I am still going to say that in my personal opinion this is, by far, the best banana bread I have ever had. And you know, I don't really feel too bad going out on a limb for this one, especially because I know a whole bunch of people that have tried this bread and will back me up on my claim. Hopefully you will give this a try and you will see what I mean!
The recipe is so easy and it comes out perfect every single time. The combination of vanilla and cinnamon really compliment the flavor of the bananas, but it is the almond extract that is the real secret ingredient here. I am not really sure how to explain how it transforms the bread, but it definitely makes it number one, in my opinion. The other little secret is the sugar sprinkled on top of the batter right before it goes into the oven. As you can see, in the picture below, while the bread is baking, the sugar starts to caramelize on top of the bread and creates a delicious crunchy sugar layer.
Banana Bread
Inspired by One Lovely Life
6 tbsp softened butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
3 very ripe bananas
1 cup sour cream or plain/vanilla yogurt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
2 eggs
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt (omit if using salted butter)
2 tsp baking soda
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-2 tsp additional white sugar
Preheat oven to 300°F. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until well combined. In a medium bowl, mash peeled bananas with a fork and stir in sour cream/yogurt, vanilla and almond extracts, eggs, and cinnamon. Beat the banana mixture into the butter mixture until combined. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt to the bowl and stir until thoroughly mixed. Pour the batter evenly into two greased loaf pans and sprinkle additional sugar over the top of the batter. Bake for about 60 minutes until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Alternately, bake in greased muffin tins for about 20-25 minutes (makes at least 24 regular size muffins.)
Enjoy!
Okay I am biased but I can truly attest to the fact that this is definitely the BEST banana bread on the planet- especially when Ali makes it :) Also - love the photo's!
ReplyDeleteI just made this. It came out great!
ReplyDelete