I remember as a child my Grandmother Dorie my mom’s mom making Banana Nut Bread and Pumpkin Bread in Folgers Coffee Cans. Did you grandparents ever do this? No, the Bread didn’t taste like Coffee. I wish she was here now to have a slice of her Bread and before you ask no, I’m not sure I would share it with anyone. Would you?
National Banana Bread Day celebrates a perfect pairing of Fruit plus Bread. Admit it, f and we must admit few things taste as good as Banana Bread. Banana Bread is certainly a dessert staple in many households, which is probably why so many of us have such a special place in our hearts for this delicious treat. The best things in life deserve an entire day devoted to celebrating their existence. Don’t they?
National Banana Bread Day Activities
- It’s hard to think of a more appropriate way to celebrate National Banana Bread Day than whipping up a loaf of Banana Bread and we guarantee your family and friends will thank you for your creation.
- If you have the means and the opportunity round up a group of your family and friends and ask everyone to bake there favorite Banana Bread recipe. Then, gather together to test out all of the different variations. You may even want to hand out prizes for the best tasting recipes.
- Take the time to research local Nursing Homes, Soup Kitchens, and other nonprofit organizations within your community that might benefit from home-cooked food donations. It’ll make your heart feel good to brighten someone’s day by sharing Banana Bread.
Things You May Not Know About Banana Bread
- Thanks to its star ingredient, Banana Bread helps to normalize blood pressure and regulate heart function because of potassium. Sounds like I need to get Banana Bread as soon as possible. Would you like a slice with me with a glass of Milk?
- Did you know it’s estimated that the average American eats around 30 pounds of Bananas per year? That isn’t true with Charlie or I because we don’t eat Banana’s. What about you?
- There is no need to wait for Yeast to rise when preparing Banana Bread. Thanks to Baking Soda and Baking Powder, most Banana Bread recipes only take about an hour from start to finish.
- Due to the high potassium content, Bananas have a slight amount of radioactivity.
Why People Love National Banana Bread Day
It’s hard to deny that Banana Bread is downright delicious and no matter what time of year it is, enjoying a piece of Banana Bread fills us with instant feelings of comfort and joy.
Many of us had Grandmothers or Mothers who loved to fill the house up with the intoxicating smells of Banana Bread. When you think back to childhood, there’s a good chance that a memory of enjoying a decadent slice is stashed away somewhere.
There is a great debate of Nuts vs. no Nuts in desserts is alive and well when it comes to discussing the best Banana Bread recipes. They can differ in so many other ways, though we like to think of Banana Bread as Snowflakes; no two loaves are exactly the same. Are they?
Recipe for Banana Nut Bread
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- Pinch of nutmeg
- Pinch of cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups mashed banana (about 3 large or 4 medium very ripe bananas)
- 6 tablespoons salted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans or any nut you prefer
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, sift or whisk together flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8½ x 4½-inch loaf pan and set aside.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together mashed banana, melted butter, sugar, egg and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Fold in the Nuts of your choice.
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake until the bread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 50-60 minutes. Do not overbake.
- Remove from the oven, cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
