Banana Walnut Bread

A family favorite, this recipe is my go to when making banana bread.  Overall it has the perfect amount of sweetness from the bananas, and the walnuts add a great crunch.  This banana bread is great as its not to complex and can easily be changed to add a fun twist.  If wanted you can substitute the walnuts with any other nut, or dried fruit, or you can skip that part all together if you have allergies or don't want it. Any way you have it though your sure to have a delicious banana bread to have as a late night snack, for parties, dessert or any other time you would like it.  I highly encourage everyone to make this banana bread though as its easy enough and taste superb.

This recipe I also a great way to use up overly ripe bananas stored in the freezer. To use frozen bananas I take very ripe bananas that nobody ate in my family and when they are fully brown I put them into the freezer. When your ready to use the bananas though make sure to take them out a of the freezer a couple hours before you begin so they are defrosted.  I also recommend that the butter is at room temperature because it will allow the batter to get to the perfect texture.  This step of the process is important in getting the perfect banana bread. Now lets get into how to make this tasty bread.

The mashed bananas, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla extract

The combined banana and butter mixture

Adding Walnuts allows for a perfect crunch

The batter before it goes into the oven

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 stick unsalted butter (at room temp.)
• 2 eggs
• 3 ripe bananas
• 1 tbsp almond milk
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups of all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:
1. Pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees
2. Beat together the sugar and butter until smooth, then add in the eggs 1 at a time. In a separate bowl mash the bananas, almond milk, cinnamon, and vanilla extract with a fork until smooth.  Once mixed add to the butter mixture and combine.
3. In another medium bowl mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt together.  Taking the flour mixture gradually add into the banana, and butter mixture then stir together until the flour disappears.
4. Once everything is well combined pour in the walnuts and mix into the batter.  Then taking the batter pour into a greased bread loaf pan.  Place the pan into  the heated oven and let bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 min or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center.
5. When the bread is done take out the bread and let sit for 10 or more minutes or until the bread is cooled. When cooled you can then take the bread out of the pan slice and enjoy!

Hope everyone tries making this Banana Walnut Bread and feedback is greatly appreciated. Also If you would like some more recipes for overripe bananas check out our other blog with some more ideas here.

 -Megan