Banana Bread

Brown sugar and sour cream . . . 

Who would've thought that these two ingredients could make an already great recipe ~ simply . . . perfect?

Since sharing this treasure with neighbors and friends . . . I've received phone calls and simple notes with comments ranging from "This is the best banana bread ever!" to "Your banana bread was amazing!" and "It was so moist!"

So . . . the next time you have very ripe bananas ~ and you're looking for the perfect recipe to use them in ~ give this one a try!     I promise that you'll be happy with the result.

Brown Sugar and Sour Cream

Banana Bread

Ingredients

1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cup unbleached flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup mashed very ripe bananas

1/2 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan; set aside.

In an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, and beat to incorporate.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.

Add to the butter mixture, and mix until just combined. 

Add bananas, sour cream, and vanilla; mix to combine. 

Stir in nuts (optional), and pour into prepared pan.
Generously sprinkle light brown sugar over top of batter.

Bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour and 10 minutes for a large loaf and 30 minutes for small loaves.

Let rest in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool.

I typically bake 4 small loaves when I make this recipe.  One small loaf makes a perfect gift. Whether it's classically packaged in parchment paper and tied with rustic rope, bundled in a pretty dishtowel, or even wrapped in clear cello and adorned with beautiful ribbon ~ this petite loaf will surely please the tummies ~ and hearts ~ of the ones that you love.

Bon Appetit!