Fannie Farmer's Banana Nut Bread -- Illustrated Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups flour
• 3/4 cup sugar (regular, or turbinado works fine, too)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup nut meats, coarsely chopped (I prefer walnuts)

Directions

1. Mix in a bowl 3 ripe bananas, well mashed, and 2 eggs, beaten until light.
2. Sift together 2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon baking soda.
3. Add to the first mixture.
4. Add 1/2 cup nut meats, chopped.
5. Stir well.
6. Put in a buttered loaf pan 9 by 5 inches.
7. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176 Celsius).

The bread is delicious served warm, with a butter dish nearby. It makes a nice breakfast quick bread or snack. It keeps well for 2-3 days, and is very nice toasted.

Tip #1: I have substituted homemade applesauce for a portion of the banana puree when I was short on bananas with excellent results.

Tip #2: If you like especially nutty breads, use one cup instead of 1/2 cup nut meats. I also usually double the nuts (actually, I think I use even more than a cup) because I love walnuts.

Tip #3: I often have substituted 1 cup or even all of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour with delicious results. I tried it with half buckwheat flour this last time, and that worked out nice, too. I tend to add a bit less sugar (about 1/2 a cup, usually), and substitute turbinado for regular white sugar with fine results.

Tip #4: Some like to add 2 tablespoons melted butter to the batter. I make it without, according to Fannie Farmer's original recipe. It is delicious without the added fat.