Bread #9: Joanna Gaines' After-School Banana Bread

 

Good morning bread bakers!

Today I am baking Joanna Gaines’ After School Banana Bread.  My friend told me about this recipe – with the crunchy sugar topping and moist, lightly sweetened bread – and I knew it would make my list of breads to bake.  What distinguishes this banana bread from my other banana bread recipes is that it uses butter instead of oil and brown sugar instead of granulated sugar.  It’s also baked in a square pan.  I just happen to have 4 ripe bananas in the freezer so I’m ready to get baking! 

Here is the recipe.  Please bake After School Banana Bread with me.

Special Tools you will need:

Heavy duty mixer such as a Kitchenaid or hand mixer

 The ingredients: 

Ingredients:

Non-stick baking spray for pan
8 Tablespoons (1 stick) salted butter, melted and cooled
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs, beaten
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
4-5 very ripe bananas, mashed (I used 4)
1 ¾ cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (I used walnuts)
2-3 Tablespoons granulated sugar

 

Prep: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray an 8x8 inch pan with non-stick spray or line with parchment paper.

Mix wet ingredients:  In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle, beat together the butter, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla until well blended.  Add the bananas and mix until combined.

Mix dry ingredients:  In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt.

Combine wet and dry ingredients:  Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat just until combined.  Add the nuts and mix until combined.

Bake:  Pour batter in prepared pan and spread it evenly.  Sprinkle the sugar over the top.  Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until tester inserted in center comes out clean.  Let the bread cool slightly in the pan on a rack.
 

  The finished bread!

Reflections on this bake:  Tasty! Very easy recipe and it comes together quickly.  I love that it’s not overly sweet. The brown sugar gives it a more caramel-y flavor.  I might use 5 bananas next time to up the banana flavor even more, but other than that, it’s perfect as is. 

  

Rating Category	Rating out of 5
Taste	4
Texture	4
Likeliness to make again	5
Overall Rating	4.3