Banana Bread in Mass

Little loaves of Banana Bread made fresh today for a benefit bake sale.  Showing a benefit bake sale poster to a group of church women is like waving a red flag in front of a herd of bulls (cows in this case.)  We're a small church but we still have many different baked goods ready for tomorrow.

I chose banana bread because I had an abundance of ripe bananas in my freezer.  We never seem to eat at least one banana in the bunch before it turns too ripe.  I have a spot in the freezer to lay them (in the skins with no other preparation.)

Let them thaw or heat in the microwave for about 20 seconds, tear off one end and gently squeeze out banana.  Since banana bread is so simple and I always have at least a couple of frozen bananas, it's perfect for a last minute gift.

For this batch, I used cute little cardboard bread baking pans.  Not endorsing or paid advertising but I purchased at Dollar General, they are cheap, they don't need greased, they don't need returned and they are festive.   Wrap in plastic wrap, tag with the variety of bread and add a pretty ribbon.  

My banana bread recipe is from my mother.  Enjoy!

Betty's Banana Bread

Preheat oven to 325.  Makes one standard loaf or three small loaves.

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup         Butter, softened
1 Cup            Sugar
2                    Eggs - Large
2                    Bananas - Ripe - Mashed 
3 Tbs.            Cream    *
1 tsp.             Vinegar  *
1 Cup            Wheat Flour
1 Cup            White Flour
1 1/2 tsp.        Baking powder
1/3 tsp.           Baking soda
1 tsp.              Vanilla
1 Cup             Nuts (broken) or Raisins - optional 

Cream butter.  Add sugar and cream.  Beat in eggs one at a time.  Beat in bananas and vanilla until it's an even cream colored.  Mix vinegar and cream to form sour cream and add.  ** May substitute 3 heaping Tablespoons of sour cream.  Mix dry ingredients together and add to mixture.  Beat until combined.  Fold in nuts or raisins.

Bake in a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan that has been greased and floured.  Bake for 50 minutes or until knife comes out clean.  

OR bake in three small cardboard loaf pans, not greased.  Bake for 40 minutes or until knife comes out clean.  

Let fully cool on a rack before wrapping.  This is particularly yummy served warm with honey butter.

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I'm grateful we were able to keep our little hands off the bread long enough for me to get it to the benefit!  I'm so sure I'll be bringing another woman's baked confection home tomorrow.