Description
Julia Child’s banana bread elevates classic comfort with French-inspired elegance. Rich with ripe bananas and a delicate crumb, this recipe promises a golden loaf that welcomes you to savor each tender slice with pure culinary delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 to 3 medium ripe bananas (about 1 ¼ to 1 ½ cups mashed)
- ⅓ cup unsalted or salted butter, melted
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup sugar (½ cup for less sweet, 1 cup for more sweet)
Leavening and Seasoning:
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and baking vessel by heating to 350°F (175°C) and generously coating an 8×4-inch loaf pan with butter to prevent sticking.
- Transform ripe bananas into a smooth puree by thoroughly mashing them in a large mixing bowl using a fork, ensuring no significant lumps remain. Incorporate melted butter into the banana mixture, stirring until well combined.
- Enhance the banana mixture by sprinkling baking soda and salt, then gently fold in granulated sugar, whisking the egg separately before adding to the blend. Pour in vanilla extract and mix thoroughly.
- Gradually sift flour into the wet ingredients, carefully folding until the batter achieves a uniform consistency without overmixing, which could result in dense bread.
- Transfer the completed batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading evenly with a spatula to ensure uniform distribution and smooth surface.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55 to 65 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should emerge with minimal dry crumbs. If the exterior browns quickly while the interior remains uncooked, loosely cover with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning.
- Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the banana bread to rest in the pan for several minutes, facilitating easier removal. Carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack, permitting complete cooling before slicing with a sharp bread knife to maintain clean, precise cuts.
Notes
- Grab bananas with abundant brown spots for maximum sweetness and deep banana flavor.
- Mix ingredients gently to maintain a tender, light bread texture without developing tough gluten.
- Protect bread’s surface by covering with aluminum foil if edges brown faster than the center.
- Confirm bread’s readiness through a clean toothpick test with minimal dry crumbs.
- Allow complete cooling before slicing to ensure structural integrity and perfect slice consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 228
- Sugar: 19 g
- Sodium: 105 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg