Paula Deen Banana Bread Recipe
There is nothing quite like the smell of warm banana bread wafting through a cozy kitchen. If you love sweet, buttery, and moist treats, this Paula Deen Banana Bread Recipe is for you.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter softened
- 2 Large eggs
- 3 Ripe bananas mashed well
- 1 tablespoon Milk
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 cup Chopped walnuts or pecans optional
Instructions
Preheat and Prep
- First, set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease your 9x5 inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray. This ensures your bread slips out easily after baking.
Cream Butter and Sugar
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together. Use a mixer until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This step creates a soft texture for the bread.
Add the Eggs
- Add the eggs to the butter mixture one at a time. Beat well after each egg is added. This helps the batter stay stable and airy as it bakes.
Mash the Bananas
- In a separate small bowl, mash your ripe bananas with a fork. They should be smooth with only a few tiny lumps. Stir in the milk and cinnamon now.
Mix Wet Ingredients
- Pour the banana mixture into the butter and egg bowl. Stir it gently until everything is combined. The smell of cinnamon and banana will start to fill the air.
Combine Dry Ingredients
- Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Slowly add these dry ingredients to the wet batter. Do not overmix the batter at this stage.
Fold in the Nuts
- If you enjoy a bit of crunch, fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans. Use a spatula to stir them in gently. This adds a wonderful southern texture to the loaf.
Bake the Bread
- Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for about 60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center.
Cool and Serve
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, move it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slicing it while warm is tempting but patience pays off.
Notes
- Use Overripe Bananas: Use bananas with lots of black spots on the skin. They are sweeter and much easier to mash into the batter.
- Don't Overmix: Stir the flour until it just disappears. Overmixing makes the bread tough and dense instead of light and fluffy.
- Add Chocolate Chips: If you have a sweet tooth, add half a cup of chocolate chips. It turns the bread into a decadent dessert treat.
- Check the Oven: Every oven is different. Start checking your bread at the 50-minute mark to prevent over-baking and drying out.
- Substitute Butter: You can use vegetable oil if you run out of butter. However, butter provides that classic Paula Deen southern flavor we love.
- Toast the Nuts: Toast your walnuts in a pan for three minutes before adding them. it brings out a much deeper, smokier nutty flavor.