Description
Jamie Oliver’s classic banana bread brings comfort and warmth to any kitchen. Moist crumb and rich banana flavor make this simple recipe a delightful treat you’ll want to share with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 250 g (8.8 ounces) self-raising flour
- 4 ripe bananas
- 2 large eggs
- 125 g (4.4 ounces) unsalted butter
Sweeteners and Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons runny honey
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened apple juice
Spices and Optional Add-ins:
- 1 big pinch of ground cinnamon
- 50 g (1.8 ounces) pecans, optional
- Unsalted butter (extra, for greasing)
- Self-raising flour (extra, for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F), creating an ideal baking environment for the banana bread.
- Generously grease a 1-liter (33.8 fluid ounces) loaf pan with softened butter, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, cream the butter until it reaches a smooth, velvety consistency using a wooden spoon.
- Whisk the eggs into the creamed butter, blending thoroughly until the mixture becomes uniform, even if it initially appears slightly curdled.
- Thoroughly mash three ripe bananas, creating a blend of smooth puree with some delightful chunky bits for added texture.
- Pour in the apple juice and honey, stirring to integrate the liquid ingredients completely into the banana mixture.
- Gently fold the cinnamon and flour into the wet ingredients, using a spatula and maintaining a light touch to prevent overmixing.
- Prepare the pecans by chopping them finely on a cutting board, using a cross-chop technique to create uniform pieces.
- Fold the chopped pecans into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula for an even surface.
- Artfully arrange thin banana slices on top of the batter for a decorative and flavorful finish.
- Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 55 minutes, monitoring closely for optimal doneness.
- Test the bread’s readiness by inserting a cocktail stick or skewer into the center; it should emerge clean or with minimal, slightly moist crumbs.
- Remove from the oven and allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack.
- Once completely cooled, slice the bread and serve with your preferred spread, such as honey, jam, butter, or chocolate spread.
Notes
- Overripe bananas transform into baking gold, saving you money and reducing food waste with minimal effort.
- Freezing those soft, brown-spotted bananas ensures you’ll always have a secret ingredient ready for spontaneous baking adventures.
- Nuts and mix-ins become your playground for creativity, allowing personalized twists on the classic recipe with whatever you discover in your pantry.
- Flexible ingredient swaps like chopped walnuts, hazelnuts, or surprise additions such as chocolate chips can elevate this basic recipe into something uniquely yours.
- Pantry raid moments become delicious opportunities when you embrace spontaneous baking with whatever ingredients are already waiting to be used.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 194 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 34 mg