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My daughter said to me the other day “mom, will you make me some banana cake?” Banana cake?? I wracked my brain trying to think of when I made banana cake. I couldn’t remember ever making it, though in my mind I knew it was a possibility, as I’ve seen those weird flavored cake mixes on sale before (does anyone ever really buy that spice cake mix??) and thought maybe I just don’t remember buying and making a banana cake mix. So I told her “honey, I don’t remember making that – did I make it for your class?” She sighed, rolled her eyes (WHY is she so good at that all of a sudden? Is that something they magically learn to do on their sixth birthday?) and said “No, mom, remember, you made it when the bananas turned black??” She was right – I make banana BREAD when the bananas get overly ripe, but it was the CAKE thing that threw me for a loop. I had to laugh though, because my banana bread really DOES taste like cake! I found this great recipe years ago, and I’ve made it for co-workers, brunches and obviously, my daughter, and everyone agrees it’s the best they’ve ever had. I’m no expert, but I think it’s because there is more banana than most recipes call for. Since I’m always looking for snacks that are portable and easy to put in a lunch box, I make muffins instead of bread. It is sooooo good.
Banana Bread / Muffins
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 1/3 cups mashed very overripe bananas
Preheat oven to 350°.
Lightly grease 9 x 5 loaf pan, or line 18-24 muffin tins.
In large bowl, combine flour, soda and salt.
In separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar.
Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended.
Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten.
Pour batter into prepared loaf pan or muffin tins.
Bake in preheated oven for 60-65 minutes for bread, cut time in half for muffins, until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
Muffins are great about 15 minutes out of the oven, still warm with butter, or, if you make a loaf, toast a slice!!! I promise it’s the best you’ll ever have!
