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READY IN 1¼ hrs

The Best Banana Bread

Read Reviews (914)

"This is the most successful and versatile quick bread recipe I've found! You can also use chunky applesauce or a 15 ounce can of pumpkin for wonderful variations." — Libby

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Original recipe makes 1 loaf Change Servings

1/2 cup margarine, softened
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs

1 1/2 cups mashed banana
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda

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Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour one 9x5 inch pan.
Cream margarine and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs, then bananas. Add flour and soda, stirring just until combined.
Pour into prepared pan and bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for about 1 hour (or till toothpick comes out clean). Remove from pan and let cool, store in refrigerator or freeze.

Kitchen-Friendly View

PREP 15 mins
COOK 1 hr
READY IN 1 hr 15 mins

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I reviewed this recipe almost a year ago but I made some interesting changes and just had to share it with everyone on this site! I used the 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup white sugar, 1/4 tsp. salt and plenty of cinnamon and nutmeg as before. However, I am always interested in making recipes healthier so instead of margarine, oil or butter I used 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce. I often buy applesauce in those little single serving cups and one container is exactly 1/2 cup. Perfect for baking since you don't have to open a whole jar of applesauce. I added chopped walnuts as before but I was out of vanilla, so I tossed in about a Tbsp of dark rum. Wow!! That is the secret to butt-kicking banana bread!! Use good quality rum, such as Puerto Rican or Dominican rum. A good rule of thumb is..if you wouldn't drink it, don't cook with it! Same goes for wine. I cannot stop eating this bread and now I don't feel guilty because it's low in fat if you use the applesauce instead of oil or butter. I really hope someone reads this review and tries the rum version I have come up with. Enjoy!!

—krista v.

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Most Helpful Critical Review

Apr 15, 2003

This bread was ok, but my husband says my recipe is better. Not as much flavor and this one is alittle on the dry side.

—RITA FAY

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1,127 Ratings

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Sep 07, 2005

This was exactly what I was looking for! I had 3 overripe bananas that I was getting ready to throw out, instead the light bulb went off to look on Allrecipes for an easy banana bread recipe. I chose this one based on the reviews and the simplicity of the ingredients. The only slight changes I made was I used butter instead of margarine, switched the white sugar to half white and half brown, and cut back the flour to 1 1/2 cups instead of 2. I also threw in 1/2 tsp. of vanilla extract and a dash of cinnamon. It turned out perfect in 45 min. (an hour would have dried the bread out) and it is dense and moist like banana bread should be! Thanks Libby, I will probably make this weekly with my leftover bananas!

—MomSavedbyGrace

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Mar 19, 2006

I've never made a really good banana bread until I tried this recipe this morning. I did modify some things--used real butter, half white and half brown sugar, added 1 tbs cinnamon, 1 tsp vanilla, and a dash of salt. I didn't measure the bananas, but used the four I had on hand that were mostly black on the outside, soft and sweet on the inside. Sprinkled the top with sliced almonds, since it's what I had on hand. It baked up beautifully in exactly one hour. What a great Sunday breakfast!

—TRISKELE

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Sep 16, 2006

I HAVE BEEN USING THIS RECIPE FOR MANY YEARS.NEVER MEASURED THE BANANAS,USED4-5 MED.ONES AND USED ONE TSP.OF SALT.PERSONAL PREFERENCE REALLY.DEPENDING ON YOUR STOVE,IT MAY TAKE MORE THAN AN HOUR.IF IT APPEARS RAW IN THE MIDDLE AFTER THE TOOTHPICK TEST;COVER THE TOP WITH FOIL WRAP,SHINY SIDE DOWN.THIS GIVES THE MIDDLE A CHANCE TO CATCH UP.WARM OR COLD,BEST BANANA BREAD EVER WITH NO FUSS.

—Maritime Rider

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Dec 12, 2007

I have made this recipe a bunch of times now. My husband loves it, but I add walnuts for him. It is so easy and tastes great! I make muffins out of mine and bake for 35 minutes instead of 1 hour. Making muffins cuts the baking time down. I want to add that I now make this with 1 cup flour and 1 cup oatmeal. It is less dense and more moist this way.

—Susie

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Dec 01, 2006

The recipe is good, it's me baking the banana bread that is a work in progress! I have asked members for tips that really helped: don't over mix, lower rack so that top of bread is halfway point in oven, my loaf dish is glass so lower temperature in my oven to 325 degrees and tent with foil if the top of loaf is getting too dark. I did as others suggested modifying the recipe and used half cup white sugar/half cup brown sugar.

—FOXFIRE2

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Dec 25, 2007

I was worried about how this was going to turn out because I'm not the very best cook! I was shocked with the results because I actually made something that tasted very delicious!!! I used 1/2 cup of white sugar and 1/2 cup of brown sugar. I also sprinkled walnuts on the top. The picture does not do it justice this is an amazing bread! I've made it 3 times this month- it's THAT good! It was the biggest hit at a potluck party and it was all gone. This recipe deserves 10 stars!!! Try it and you too will fall in love with it!

—Erika

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Nutrition

Calories
196 kcal
10%

Carbohydrates
31.3 g
10%

Cholesterol
28 mg
9%

Fiber
1 g
4%

Protein
2.9 g
6%

Sodium
175 mg
7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

The Best Banana Bread

Serving Size: 1/15 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 15
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 196
Calories from Fat: 63

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 7g 11 %
Saturated Fat 1.3g 7 %
Cholesterol 28mg 9 %
Sodium 175mg 7 %
Potassium 110mg 3 %
Total Carbohydrates 31.3g 10 %
Dietary Fiber 1g 4 %
Protein 2.9g 6 %
Sugars 16.2g
Vitamin A 6 %
Vitamin C 3 %
Calcium 1 %
Iron 10 %
Thiamin 15 %
Niacin 13 %
Vitamin B6 6 %
Magnesium 4 %
Folate 21 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.