Ingredients
• Base: 1½ cups (200 g) All-purpose flour (maida)
• Fruit: 2 or 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• Binding: 2 eggs
• Fat: ⅓ cup (75 g) melted butter
• Sweetener: ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar AND ½ cup (100 g) white sugar
• Liquid: ½ cup (120 ml) milk
• Leavening: 1 tsp (4 g) baking powder AND 1 tsp (5 g) baking soda
• Flavor: 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla essence, ¼ tsp cinnamon powder, and ¼ tsp salt
Preparation Steps
1. Preheat & Prep: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your loaf pans thoroughly or line them with parchment paper.
2. Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter with both sugars. Whisk in the eggs, milk, and vanilla essence until smooth.
3. Incorporate Bananas: Stir in your mashed bananas.
4. Sift Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
5. Combine: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Do not overmix; stir only until the flour streaks disappear to keep the bread light and airy.
6. Bake: Pour the batter into the pans. Bake for 50–60 minutes.
7. Test: A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
8. Cool: Let the loaves rest in the pans for 10 minutes before moving them to a wire rack.
Tips for “Compliment-Worthy” Loaves
• The Secret to Moisture: Ensure your bananas are very overripe (lots of black spots!). They provide more moisture and a more intense “banana” perfume than yellow ones.
• The Shine: For a beautiful professional finish, you can brush the top of the warm loaf with a little bit of melted butter or a simple honey glaze right when it comes out of the oven.
• Gifting Tip: Since you are taking these to church, these loaves freeze beautifully. You can bake them a week in advance, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and thaw them the night before the event.