Recipe Love: banana bread

Let's pretend that there's a fresh hot loaf of banana bread in this picture.

And let's pretend that it wasn't so good that I almost ate it all in one sitting.

Let's pretend.

I have had this recipe for years. And as with most of my recipes, it was quickly jotted down on the nearest scrap piece of paper and only understood by me.

And now I will decipher my favorite banana bread recipe for you, so that we may, together, share in banana bread love.

-2 1/2 cups flour

-1 2/3 cups sugar

-1 1/4 tsp baking powder

-1 1/4 tsp baking soda

-1 tsp salt

-1 tsp vanilla

-2/3 cups shortening

-2/3 cups butter milk (split in half)

- 3 eggs

-1 1/4 cups mashed bananas (3ish)

Mix all dry ingredients. Then add shortening, half the butter milk, and the mashed bananas.

Knead for two minutes. Add eggs, remainder of butter milk, and vanilla.

Beat two more minutes. Pour into greased and floured pans.

*sometimes I add nuts or chocolate chips. Just depends on what my personality is at the time.

Bake on 350˚ for 35-45 minutes and enjoy!

Kitchen Tip

Don't have butter milk? Make your own.

1. Pour 1 TBLS lemon juice or white vinegar (I use lemon juice) in a liquid measuring cup.

2. Add enough milk to bring the liquid up to the one cup line.

3. Lets stand for five minutes. Then, use as much as needed.

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