The Ultimate Guide To Banana Bread: Recipe, Tips & More!
Calling all baking enthusiasts and banana lovers! Get ready to dive into the world of banana bread – a delicious treat that’s captured the hearts and taste buds of food lovers everywhere.
In this article, uncover the secrets of what makes banana bread so special, including helpful tips, tricks and our yummy banana bread recipe.
Why is banana bread called bread and not cake?
Don’t be fooled by the name, this delightful treat is more than just your ordinary bread – it’s actually a cake in disguise! The reason it’s called banana bread is simply because it’s traditionally baked in a loaf tin.
What is banana bread made of?
At its core, banana bread is a delectable cake which is typically made from mashed bananas, flour, lemon juice, melted butter, eggs, and baking powder. However, don’t let this basic recipe hold you back! Banana bread recipes can vary widely, offering you the freedom to experiment and customise it to your liking.
For instance, let’s take a peek at our very own banana bread recipe, which includes a special golden twist.
In our version, we’ve incorporated chopped walnuts to add a lovely texture, replaced lemon juice with orange juice (which still gives you that refreshing citrus kick), and to top it all off, we have used our famous Lyle’s Golden Syrup to add a heavenly sweetness and flavour.
Is banana bread easy to make?
One of the main factors that contributed to banana bread’s widespread appeal is its accessibility. Unlike other intricate recipes that demand fancy machines and complex baking techniques, banana bread can be whipped up with basic kitchen tools.
Moreover, banana bread’s simplicity has led to it becoming a popular choice for novice bakers. With straightforward ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this delightful creation is a great starting point for anyone new to baking.
The rise of banana bread’s popularity particularly took flight during lockdown. With more time on their hands, people discovered the joy of baking, and banana bread quickly emerged as the go-to recipe. Its simplicity, combined with the abundance of over-ripe bananas on kitchen counters, made it a practical and delicious choice – and stopped all those bananas from going to waste.
What do you need to make banana bread?
When it comes to baking banana bread, you’ll be delighted to know that the equipment required is minimal. The only equipment you need is a mixing bowl, loaf tin, a wire rack, and a wooden spoon!
However, if you find yourself without some of these tools, fear not! There are alternative solutions that can still lead to banana bread bliss.
A wire rack plays a vital role in the cooling process of your baked goods, and if you plan on baking more, it’s definitely a worthwhile investment. But if you don’t have one just yet, don’t worry – there are other options available to make sure your banana bread cools properly.
The goal of a wire rack is for air to circulate around your baked goods, which helps them cool down quicker and stops condensation from forming, which stops your banana bread from going soggy.
Keeping this in mind, here are some other things you could use:
A rack from your oven: If you have a spare wire rack in your oven, this will work just as well as a standard cooling rack. Just make sure it’s clean!
A barbecue grill: If you have a barbecue with a removable wire rack, this is another great substitute. Again, make sure it’s clean before you use it.
A muffin tray: In a pinch, you can turn a muffin tray upside down and place your baked goods on top of the inverted cups.
While a loaf tin is the preferred choice when baking banana bread, don’t worry if you don’t have one – you can still make delicious banana bread with a standard cake tin.
But keep in mind that the size of the cake tin will affect the baking time. Essentially, a larger cake tin will result in thinner banana bread, requiring less time to bake in the oven. For a 9-inch (approximately 23cm) cake tin, aim for around 25 minutes in the oven. Just keep a close eye on it while it’s baking, as soon as a toothpick comes out clean when it’s inserted in the centre of your banana bread, it’s cooked.
Storing your banana bread properly is essential to help it maintain its freshness, as well as its tasty flavours and textures. To store banana bread, allow it to cool completely and place it in an airtight container, this will help to retain moisture and prevent your banana bread from drying out. Using this method, you’ll be able to enjoy your scrumptious banana bread for up to four days.
Can you freeze banana bread?
Absolutely! Freezing banana bread is a great way of preserving it, here’s the best way to do it:
1. Wrap your cooled loaf in aluminium foil.
2. Put it in a ziplock bag, helping to remove as much air as possible and prevent freezer burn.
3. Store it in the freezer for up to four months.
Top tip – write the date you baked your banana bread on the ziplock back, so you know how long it’s been in the freezer.
When you’re ready to enjoy your banana bread, simply:
1. Remove the loaf from the ziplock bag, keeping it wrapped in foil.
2. Place it on your kitchen counter to thaw.
A whole loaf can take up to 4 hours to thaw completely, so if you only have a portion to thaw, keep checking it every couple of hours.
Ready to bake banana bread at home?
Prepare for a delightful treat with our incredibly easy-to-make banana bread recipe. With just seven simple steps, you’ll be savouring every slice of this pure goodness in no time. And to take it up a notch, we’ve added a luscious glaze of Lyle’s Golden Syrup for that extra touch of pizazz and irresistible flavour.
We understand that everyone has their own preferences, so feel free to customise our recipe to suit your taste. Here are a couple of suggestions for inspiration:
If you’re not a fan of nuts or have a nut allergy, don’t worry! You can easily swap the walnuts out for something else. Consider adding dried fruits like raisins or even shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
There is only one thing better than banana bread, and that’s banana bread with chocolate chips! Chocolate chips are a great addition to your recipe, providing a whole new depth of flavour and a chocolatey surprise in every bite.
When it comes to baking the perfect banana bread, there’s one essential ingredient that takes it to the next level – Lyle’s Golden Syrup. Its rich, velvety sweetness adds a mouth-watering flavour to your creation – make sure you stock up before you start baking!
