To Die for Banana Bread

Submitted by txcupcake

"This was one of my Aunt's favorite recipes. When I was little, the smell of this baking in her kitchen was one of the best smells my nose had ever smelled. Try it! It's amazing."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 15mins
• Ingredients: 10
• Yields: 1 Loaf
• Serves: 5

ingredients

• 4 overripe bananas
• 1 cup sugar
• 3⁄4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup pecans

directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt, set aside.
3. With a fork, mash 2 of the bananas in a small bowl so they still have some texture.
4. Beat the remaining 2 bananas and sugar together for about 3 minutes.
5. Add the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla to the banana/sugar mixture, mix well.
6. Mix in the dry ingredients just until they are incorporated, no need to over-mix.
7. Fold in the pecans and the mashed bananas.
8. Pour the batter in the loaf pan, and give it a rap against the counter to remove any air bubbles.
9. Bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, until golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Don't worry if the bread develops a crack down the middle, it's common and won't hurt a thing!
10. Let cool for about 10 minutes in the pan, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.