Banana Bread with Pecans and Raisins
This banana bread is moist and flavorful, with a tender crumb and a hint of sweetness from the bananas, raisins, and pecans. It's the perfect breakfast or snack, and it's easy to make with just a few simple ingredients.
Banana bread is a classic American comfort food that has been enjoyed for generations. It's a simple and straightforward recipe, but there are a few key tips that can help you make the best banana bread possible. First, it's important to use ripe bananas. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful the bread will be. If you don't have any ripe bananas on hand, you can ripen them by placing them in a paper bag with an apple or pear. The ethylene gas released by the apple or pear will help to ripen the bananas quickly. Once you have your ripe bananas, you can mash them with a fork or a potato masher. It's important to mash the bananas until they are completely smooth, with no lumps. This will help to ensure that the bread has a tender and even crumb. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Then, add the mashed bananas, melted butter, sugar, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined. Do not overmix the batter, as this can result in a tough bread. Finally, fold in the pecans and raisins. Pour the batter into a greased and floured loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve and enjoy!
Banana Bread with Pecans and Raisins Banana Bread with Pecans and Raisins Banana Bread with Pecans and Raisins Banana Bread with Pecans and Raisins
Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 60 | Serves: 8
Ingredients
  • 1 cup mashed ripe bananas
  • 1/2 cup melted vegan butter
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 cup raisins
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
  5. Fold in the pecans and raisins.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Why It Works
  • Using ripe bananas gives the bread a sweet and flavorful taste.
  • Mashing the bananas until they are completely smooth helps to ensure that the bread has a tender and even crumb.
  • Not overmixing the batter prevents the bread from becoming tough.
  • Adding pecans and raisins gives the bread a bit of texture and sweetness.