Open Arms of Minnesota

WEEKLY RECIPE: The Best Banana Bread

By McKenzie Young, 2018-19 University of Minnesota Dietetic Intern

This is the recipe for a classic banana bread. It’s a reliable recipe and turns out so good every time. Banana bread is best when you let the bananas get very ripe– the longer you wait, the sweeter the bananas will be, and therefore you don’t need to add all the sugar the recipe calls for! This recipe is sweetened with less sugar but adds in applesauce for some extra sweetener. Why not make the banana bread even more delicious with adding in chocolate chips, too? Enjoy this sweet treat!

The Best Banana Bread

Serves: 15

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sugar + 1/2 cup applesauce
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 3 bananas, mashed
  • 3 Tbs hot water
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ cup walnuts, chopped
  • ¾ cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Grease and flour a 9″ x 5″ x 2 1/2″ pan and set aside.
  3. In a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and beat.
  4. Add soda and hot water and add to mixture.
  5. Slowly spoon flour into mixture and mix until combined.
  6. Stir in any mix-ins.
  7. Bake for 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in the middle of the bread comes out clean.

Nutrition Info

For 1 serving: 207 calories; 29.7 carbohydrates; 9.5 grams fat; 1.8 grams protein; 1.5 grams fiber

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