Mmmm Banana Bread.  Who doesn’t love Banana Bread? I posed this question to Mr. E the other day and he answered “crazy people – that’s who!!” I agree 🙂

Mr. E and I have a habit of buying bananas (more than we would ever eat in a week) and, of course, never eating them all.  Mr. E, in his effort to not waste food, throws them in the freezer. We currently have about 10 bananas (with the peels on), all black and not pretty looking in our freezer and… I need the freezer space.  So when I suggested Banana Bread Mr. E did a happy dance and when I said Dirty Monkeys he straight up squealed!!  Okay, so maybe he didn’t squeal but I sure did. Yes I squealed at my own suggestion! LOL They are that GOOD!

What was that? Did I hear you ask “what’s a Dirty Monkey?”  Only my favorite drink from St. Lucia!!   Imagine a glass of blended deliciousness.  For 2 drinks the recipe is (approximately): 1 large banana, 2 shots of Kahlua, 1½ shots of white rum, ice and a bit of milk or if you are feeling indulgent 1 scoop of ice cream. (I’m usually feeling indulgent). 🙂  Then blend!

The Banana Bread recipe is an easy – no yeast, one bowl recipe. You can make it more complex if you want and get all fancy with a bunch of different bowls, but it’s really not necessary.

I pulled the bananas out of the freezer, let them sit on the counter for about 10 minutes, peeled them and dropped them whole into my Kitchen Aid mixer.  I mixed for a few minutes until they were slightly mashed looking.

To the bowl I added the sugar, egg and melted butter.  Mixed until blended and then added the flour and baking powder (I used a colander to sift the baking soda to catch lumps). Mix well.

I decided to make small loaves so they would bake quicker.  My favorite is to eat a slice warm with a bit of butter spread on top.  Hope you enjoy!

Banana Bread Recipe

3 large ripe bananas mashed – about 1cup

1 cup sugar (I use a little less if using really ripe bananas)

1 egg

4 tablespoon melted butter – cooled

1½ cup flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

 

Grease loaf pan.  Preheat oven to 325°.

 

To a mixing bowl add bananas (either mashed or if using a stand mixer, like a Kitchen Aid, whole and use the paddle attachment on low to mash them up) and sugar and mix well.  Add egg and melted butter, mixing well after each addition.  Then add flour, salt and baking soda (make sure there aren’t any lumps in your baking soda) and mix until combined. 

 

Pour into greased loaf pan and bake for 55 – 60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when testing for doneness.

 

**The bake time for the mini loaves in the picture above was about 25 – 30 minutes.**