source: Grandma’s Kitchen: Treasured Family Recipes
History of banana bread
Bananas appeared in the US in the 1870s but took a while to appear as dessert ingredients. Banana bread recipes emerged in cookbooks across North America when baking powder became available in grocery stores in the 1930s. Although, Some food historians believe banana bread was a byproduct of the Great Depression as resourceful housewives did not wish to throw away overripe bananas.
Others believe that banana bread was developed in corporate kitchens to promote flour and baking soda products. Banana bread experienced a resurgence in popularity in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.
Around the world
In the Philippines, banana bread is usually called “banana cake.” It was introduced during the American colonial period of the Philippines as the Philippines became a top banana supplier.
February 23 is National Banana Bread Day in the United States. (Wikipedia)
Ingredients
5 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
2 egg whites
one teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 and 1/2 cups mashed, very ripe bananas
1 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
one teaspoon of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
Directions
To make this recipe for Nana’s Banana Bread, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray the bottom only of a 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray so the bread does not stick.
Beat butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer set at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat well. Next, add egg, egg whites, and vanilla; beat until well blended. Add mashed banana, and beat on high speed for 30 seconds.
Combine flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with cream, ending with flour mixture. Add walnuts to batter; mix well so they are distributed evenly.
Pour batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan. Bake until browned and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Cool bread in a pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove bread from the pan; cool completely on a wire rack. Slice and serve with butter and jam.
Enjoy!
Also, try: Banana Frozen Yogurt Dessert