I Managed to Make This Delicious Banana Bread With Just a Handful of Ingredients
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Don't let the name of this recipe, "banana coffee bread," from my mom's circa-1982 Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book confuse you; it's not actually coffee-flavored. Rather, it's a coffee-cake-inspired banana bread, meaning it's lighter in density and sweeter than a traditional banana bread. But what you really need to know about this recipe — which I slightly tweaked — is that it's easy to make even if you're low on ingredients (and many of us are, as we're unable to make frequent trips to the grocery store), kitchen tools (like a mixer), and general baking know-how (it me). The original recipe only requires six steps, seven ingredients, and 30 minutes in the oven. I've added some additional tips as well as chocolate chips — because duh — but it's still a cinch to make. So what are you waiting for? Let's do this.
Banana Coffee Bread
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup butter (room temperature)
- 1 cup sugar (lightly filled into cup, not packed)
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup mashed ripe banana (1-2 bananas, depending on size)
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Semisweet chocolate chips to taste (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Using a mixer or whisk, cream butter and sugar until fluffy (color will lighten up).
Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.
Stir in mashed banana (I used two small bananas).
Whisk dry ingredients in separate small bowl first, then add to banana mixture; mix well with wooden spoon.
Pour into greased 9x9x2-inch pan. I actually used an 8x8x2-inch baking dish and it worked well.
Sprinkle handful of chocolate chips on top.
Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes. Be careful not to overbake; set timer a little less than 30 minutes and check with toothpick in outer edge first, then center. If it starts to brown on the outer edge but is still wet in the middle, turn oven down 5-10 degrees and continue baking, checking every 5-10 minutes.
Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing up servings. Once cool, store in ziplock bag or container with lid, and it will moisten up.