two families fancy banana nut breads

Why make one loaf of fancy banana bread just for yourself when you can just as easily make two loaves of banana bread - enough to share with another family. Spread the joy, especially now during COVID when we all need our days to be brightened. After years of using the Joy of Cooking banana bread recipe which is also a very popular one I switched to making this fancier moist and delicious banana bread recipe. To keep it interesting I do vary a few ingredients, like using chopped walnuts, cinnamon sugar, mini chocolate chips or sliced bananas on top of the loaves. I also use different bread pans, like the ones in the above photo with the fancy ruffle edges. The recipe makes enough for two large size 9x5" loaves so plan accordingly.

Ingredients and Recipe for Two Families Fancy Banana Nut Breads
Makes 2- 9x5" loaves

3 & 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon fine sea salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

16 tablespoons or 2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into bits, at room temperature

1 & 1/2 cups granulated sugar

5 farm fresh eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

4 large very ripe bananas, peeled and mashed, about 2 cups

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup chopped walnuts

for the topping

2 large ripe bananas, peeled and sliced in half

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

4 tablespoons cinnamon sugar

4 tablespoons chopped walnuts

Preheat the oven to 350F

Grease 2-9x5" loaf pans with butter or baking spray

Mix the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon together in a bowl, set aside.

In the bowl of a standing mixer cream together the butter and the sugar, beat until lighter in color and fluffy, about 3 minutes, scrape down the mixing bowl as needed.

Add the eggs, beating between each addition.

Beat in the vanilla.

Add the mashed bananas and buttermilk, slowly blending into the mixture.

Stir in the dry ingredients, add the chopped walnuts continue to stir until just combined, the batter will be thick.

Divide the batter between the two loaf pans, smooth the top.

Options for the topping: Place a sliced banana on top and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips.

Sprinkle the tops with cinnamon sugar, mini chocolate chips and chopped walnuts.

Bake on center rack of oven for 45-50 minutes.

Loaves are done when a cake tester comes back with out crumbs, sides should be lightly browned and coming away from the sides of the pans.

Cool in the pans for 10 minutes and turn out on to cooling racks.

Banana 🍌 bread is always better the second day, so when loaves are cool wrap tightly to enjoy later.

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