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This banana bread is almost foolproof and incredibly delicious. Even a novice can make it. The recipe can be doubled or tripled with no problem. Hey, if you're going to make a loaf, may as well make a spare to freeze for later. The basic recipe lends itself to further glory with the addition or substitution of other ingredients. Several variations are listed at the bottom of the recipe. My favorite is banana orange bread. Play with your own version. Prep: 10 min; Bake: 55- 65 min; Total Time: 65-75 min. Makes one loaf: 8-10 servings. 18 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | FEBRUARY 2022 Incredibly Easy Incredibly Easy Banana Bread Banana Bread Directions 1. Butter an 8" x 4" loaf pan 2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees 3. Mash the bananas with a fork or potato masher until completely smooth. Place in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the melted butter until it is completely incorporated into the bananas. Then mix in the baking soda and salt. Next stir in the sugar, beaten egg and vanilla. Add the flour in three portions, mixing after each addition. Once the flour is incorporated, pour the batter into the prepared pan. 4. Bake until a toothpick or wooden skewer inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 55-65 minutes. If any raw batter clings to the toothpick, continue baking. If the loaf is still wet, but the top is nicely browned, cover the loaf pan loosely with aluminum foil and continue baking until the bread is done. 5. When done, remove from oven and let cool in the pan on a cooling rack for about 10 minutes. Using a knife, carefully loosen the edges of the bread from the sides of the pan. Turn the loaf out of the pan, place top side up on the rack and allow to completely cool before serving. 6. Store in an airtight container, plastic wrap or a plastic bag. The bread will keep for up to a week at room temperature or in the freezer for three to six months. Ingredients • 3 to 4 medium very ripe bananas, peeled and mashed (1½ cups mashed) • 1/3 cup butter, either salted or unsalted, melted, plus more for greasing the loaf pan • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda • 1 pinch of salt (about 1/16 teaspoon) • 3/4 cup sugar • 1 large egg, beaten • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour Additions and Substitutions: Banana orange bread: Add the zest of one large orange to the batter before adding the flour. (Note: when zesting citrus, use only the colored portion which contains the oils. The white pith is bitter. Optional - if you have orange extract, use ½ teaspoon orange and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract. Banana nut bread: Add ½ to 1 cup chopped and toasted walnuts or pecans. To toast nuts, place in a nonstick skillet over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly until about one shade darker. Let cool. Toss with ½ Tablespoon flour to keep nuts from sinking to the bottom of the pan during baking. Add to batter after all other batter ingredients have been mixed in. Banana avocado with or without nuts: Substitute and mash ½ an avocado for part of the banana (you want 1 ½ cups combined avocado and banana). Banana date: Add ½ to 1cup chopped dates. Toss with ½ Tablespoon flour to keep dates from sinking to the bottom of the pan during baking. Add to batter after all other batter ingredients have been mixed in. Other mix ins: Try chocolate chips, dried fruits, or other spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom. Applesauce can be substituted for part of the mashed banana. Let your taste buds and imagination be your guide. Valentine's special… sweets for the sweet

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