Beautifulicious Banana Bread

A friend of mine went to Walmart the other day with a craving for bananas.  No, they don't drag their knuckles when they walk.  Now, my friend is not what you would call a power shopper, especially for fruits and vegetables.  But, the tickler sign saying $15.60 for 40 pounds of bananas got their attention.  "What a deal!" they thought.  At $0.39 per pound, it was just too good to pass up.

It cracked me up when they told me a couple of weeks later that they had to throw half of them away because they turned black.

Ickey-yickey!

They admitted that their stomach was doing their thinking when they were shopping.  But, seriously, we have all had bananas turn black on us before we could scarf them down.

As I was gently laughing with my friend, I told them how I never had to throw blackened bananas away.  "Really?" my friend asked in an unbelieving tone.  "Straight-up," I said.

There are a lot of things you can do with bananas.  (Checking this place out will make you think you are the Forrest Gump of Bananas: 100 Banana Uses).  I can save them for when I am ready to use them by putting them in a Ziploc bag and freeze them if and when they do turn black.

My favorite thing to do with bananas I don't outright eat is to make Banana Bread.  When you have 4 frozen bananas, just thaw them out and make a loaf of Banana Bread.  Freeze a bunch of bananas and you can make a bunch of Banana Bread.

I have been using the same Banana Bread recipe for over 35 years.  It's in a homemade recipe book my sister made for me. I put it in a folder so that recipes can be added to it. This recipe has been in our family forever and I wonder how many bananas have been saved and enjoyed because of it!  Here is the recipe:  

1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
4 overripe bananas

(I use self-rising flour, therefore I never use salt and soda)

Here are the ingredients:

Thaw out the bananas if they were frozen.  Then, mash the bananas in a bowl.  Don't forget that four bananas make a loaf.  And with a little music or imagination, you can do the mash banana while you do, just swing your hips as you mash (insert "banana" for "potato" and click this link to do the latest dance craze as you cook, The Mash Banana!!!!!:>):

In another bowl, cream shortening and sugar, and add eggs and beat and mix well

Then, sift flour, salt and soda and bananas and mix well:

You can see that I am using my hand mixer, but you could use a stand mixer as well.  By the way, Amazon has a hand mixer you can get for under $9.00 and a hand & stand combo mixer, normally $32.49, that can be had for under $20.00.

Pour the well-mixed batter into a well-greased, floured loaf pan

Place on the center over rack and bake in 350-degree oven for one hour.

It is ready when the loaves are golden brown.  You can also stick a toothpick or a small knife in it, and if it comes out without batter sticking to it, it is ready.

If you are using the smaller loaf pans pictured, they only need 20-30 minutes to bake in 350-degree oven.

They're all ready.  That wonderful banana smell makes me want to lick my lips.

Now that is Beautifulicious!!!!!!!!

Optional ideas: You may put walnuts or pecans in the batter. Also you can put butter on top of the bread after baking and sprinkle cinnamon and sugar. Another idea is to spread a layer of butter cream or cream cheese icing after it has cooled. Some like to spread cream cheese on a slice of the bread. I like it warm with butter (Whatever your tastes prefer). The sky is the limit!!

My two daughters and my daughter-in-law love Banana Bread and they know many loaves have been baked in our home by me or them. It has been a joke with them through the years. "Mom would you be sure and save us some?" The little loaves are just a fun thing to pass around! Yes, I do always try and save them some.

Banana bread loaves freeze really well. And it's a great thing to pull out and defrost if you find out at the last minute that company is on their way. Just put on a pot of coffee and they will think you have been baking all afternoon! 

You can also make the small loaves and make a little basket to give to a friend for a birthday, give to a shut in, a neighbor or if you have a relative or friend stop in and you just want to give them a treat. It's a very nice way to show a little bit of tender love and kindness!! Enjoy!!

I love the wonderful memories these recipes bring to mind. Let me know how how you liked the recipe if you try it, and of course share any new twists and ideas you have about this or other recipes.  I'd love to try yours too!