pat's Recipe

Ultimate Banana Bread

Category: BREADS

1 3/4 cups (8 3/4 oz) all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
6 large very ripe bananas (about 2 1/4 lbs)
peeled (see note)
1 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled
slightly
2 large eggs
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and coarsely
chopped (optional)
2 tsps granulated sugar

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together in large bowl.
2. Place 5 bananas in microwave-safe bowl; cover with plastic wrap and cut several steam vents in plastic with paring knife. Microwave on high power until bananas are soft and have released liquid, about 5 minutes. Transfer bananas to fine-mesh strainer placed over medium bowl and allow to drain, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes (should have 1/2 to 3/4 cup liquid).
3. Transfer liquid to medium saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 5 minutes. Remoe pan from heat, stir reduced liquid into bananas, and mash with potato masher until fairly smooth. Whisk in butter, eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla.
4. Pour banana mixture into flour mixture and stir until just combined with some streaks of flour remaining. Gently fold in walnuts, if using. Scrape batter into prepared pan. Slice remaining banana diagonally into 1/4-inch thick slices. Shingle banana slices on top of either side of loaf, leaving 1 1/2-inch-wide space down center to ensure even rise. Sprinkle granulated sugar evenly over loaf.
Bake until toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean, 55 to 75 minutes. Cool bread in pan on wire rack 15 minutes, then remove loaf from pan and continue to cool on wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Makes one 9-inch loaf.

*note* Be sure to use very ripe, heavily speckled (or even black) bananas in this recipe. The texture is best when the loaf is eaten fresh, but it can be stored (cool completely first) covered tightly with plastic wrap, for up to 3 days.