The cooks at America's Test Kitchen wanted to make a banana bread that tasted like, well, bananas. More banana was called for, but how does that work out texture-wise. Here's the secret.
Build a better banana bread —
The cooks at America's Test Kitchen wanted to make a banana bread that tasted like, well, bananas. More banana was called for, but how does that work out texture-wise. Here's the secret.
America's Test Kitchen
1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 8 1/2 by 4 1/2-inch loaf pan with vegetable spray. If using, toast 1/2 cup walnuts in small skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly, until browned and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Transfer to small bowl and set aside.
Build a better banana bread —
1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 8 1/2 by 4 1/2-inch loaf pan with vegetable spray. If using, toast 1/2 cup walnuts in small skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly, until browned and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Transfer to small bowl and set aside.
America's Test Kitchen
2. Add 8 tablespoons unsalted butter to now-empty pan and heat over medium heat until melted. Transfer to small bowl and set aside.
Build a better banana bread —
2. Add 8 tablespoons unsalted butter to now-empty pan and heat over medium heat until melted. Transfer to small bowl and set aside.
America's Test Kitchen
3. Whisk 1 3/4 cups (8 3/4 ounces) all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt together in large bowl. Set aside.
Build a better banana bread —
3. Whisk 1 3/4 cups (8 3/4 ounces) all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt together in large bowl. Set aside.
America's Test Kitchen
4. Peel 5 large, very ripe bananas and place in separate microwave-safe bowl. Cover with microwave-safe plate and microwave until bananas are soft and have released liquid, about 5 minutes.
Build a better banana bread —
4. Peel 5 large, very ripe bananas and place in separate microwave-safe bowl. Cover with microwave-safe plate and microwave until bananas are soft and have released liquid, about 5 minutes.
America's Test Kitchen
5. Transfer bananas to fine-mesh strainer set over bowl and let drain, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes (you should have 1/2 to 3/4 cup liquid).
Build a better banana bread —
5. Transfer bananas to fine-mesh strainer set over bowl and let drain, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes (you should have 1/2 to 3/4 cup liquid).
America's Test Kitchen
6. Transfer drained liquid to medium saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Transfer drained bananas to medium mixing bowl. Add reduced liquid and mash with potato masher until mostly smooth.
Build a better banana bread —
6. Transfer drained liquid to medium saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Transfer drained bananas to medium mixing bowl. Add reduced liquid and mash with potato masher until mostly smooth.
America's Test Kitchen
7. Whisk in melted butter, 2 large eggs, 3/4 cup packed (5 1/4 ounces) light brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Build a better banana bread —
7. Whisk in melted butter, 2 large eggs, 3/4 cup packed (5 1/4 ounces) light brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
America's Test Kitchen
8. Pour banana mixture into dry ingredients. Stir until just combined; some streaks of flour will remain. Fold in walnuts, if using. Scrape batter into prepared pan.
Build a better banana bread —
8. Pour banana mixture into dry ingredients. Stir until just combined; some streaks of flour will remain. Fold in walnuts, if using. Scrape batter into prepared pan.
America's Test Kitchen
9. For topping, peel 1 large, very ripe banana and cut on bias into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Shingle banana slices on loaf in 2 rows, leaving 1 1/2-inch-wide space down center. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons granulated sugar evenly over loaf.
Build a better banana bread —
9. For topping, peel 1 large, very ripe banana and cut on bias into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Shingle banana slices on loaf in 2 rows, leaving 1 1/2-inch-wide space down center. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons granulated sugar evenly over loaf.
America's Test Kitchen
10. Bake until toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean, 55 to 75 minutes. Let loaf cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire rack and let cool for 1 hour before serving.
Build a better banana bread —
10. Bake until toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean, 55 to 75 minutes. Let loaf cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire rack and let cool for 1 hour before serving.
America's Test Kitchen