Banana bread

Banana Bread

A loaf of banana bread
Type	Bread
Course	Dessert, snack
Place of origin	United States
Serving temperature	Room temperature
Main ingredients	Bananas, flour, sugar, butter, eggs, baking soda
Variations	Nuts, chocolate chips
Cookbook: Banana Bread   Media: Banana Bread

Banana bread is a type of bread made from mashed bananas. It is often a moist, sweet, cake-like quick bread; however there are some banana bread recipes that are traditional-style raised breads. Banana bread first became a standard feature of American cookbooks with the popularization of baking soda and baking powder in the 1930s. It appeared in Pillsbury's 1933 Balanced Recipes cookbook, and later gained more popularity with the release of the original Chiquita Banana's Recipe Book in 1950.

History

The origin of banana bread is believed to be in the United States, with the advent of baking soda and baking powder in the early 1930s. The Great Depression also played a significant role in its creation, as resourceful housewives did not wish to waste overripe bananas. The convenience and availability of the ingredients needed for banana bread made it a popular recipe during this time.

Ingredients

The basic ingredients in banana bread include:

• Bananas, which are the defining ingredient of the bread, providing moisture and flavor.
• Flour, which gives the bread its structure.
• Sugar, for sweetness.
• Butter or oil, which adds moisture and richness.
• Eggs, which bind the ingredients together.
• Baking soda or baking powder, which acts as a leavening agent to make the bread rise.

Variations of banana bread might include nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, chocolate chips, or other fruits such as blueberries.

Preparation

The preparation of banana bread involves mixing the wet ingredients (mashed bananas, butter, and eggs) together in one bowl, and the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking soda) in another. The dry ingredients are then combined with the wet ingredients, and any additional ingredients like nuts or chocolate chips are folded in. The batter is then poured into a loaf pan and baked in an oven.

Cultural Significance

Banana bread has become a beloved comfort food in many parts of the world. It is often associated with home baking and is a popular recipe for beginners. During the COVID-19 pandemic, banana bread saw a resurgence in popularity as many people took up baking while in quarantine.

Variations

There are numerous variations of banana bread, including:

• Banana nut bread, which includes nuts like walnuts or pecans.
• Chocolate chip banana bread, which includes chocolate chips for a sweet twist.
• Vegan banana bread, which substitutes eggs and butter with vegan alternatives like flax eggs and coconut oil.

See Also

• Bread
• Quick bread
• Banana cake

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