While we needed a bit of a break after early-pandemic banana bread-palooza, we’re feeling more inspired than we have in months after watching mom/home cook/Fixer Upper star/Magnolia Table author and Discovery TV show host Joanna Gaines display how easy—and amazingly tasty—her variation on the theme truly is.
See More: Healthy Banana Bread Recipes
We were already adding this to our baking agenda, and immediately added the ingredients to our online supermarket carts after seeing a fan’s feedback on Instagram: “This is my favorite recipe! Seriously the best banana bread ever!”
As Gaines gathers the ingredients for her After-School Banana Bread demonstration on a new episode of Magnolia Table, she says, “This is a weekly specialty at the Gaines household—we’re either doing zucchini bread or banana bread.”
She begins by peeling the bananas, which she adds to a large bowl then uses a fork to mash. “I like to leave them a little chunky,” Gaines explains in the recipe notes. In a separate bowl, she combines softened butter with light brown sugar, and suggests that you use a hand mixer or stand mixer to combine. Crack in eggs, add pure vanilla extract and the mashed bananas. Mix again.
Now’s the time you would add ½ cup chopped pecans, or “you can also do walnuts,” Gaines says. “I’m taking this to my kids today, and they don’t like nuts. So I’m not doing nuts.” A pal of Gaines swaps in chocolate chips, while Gaines herself thinks this recipe is “perfect just as it is” sans mix-ins, so feel free to choose your own adventure. Mix once more.
Next up: The dry ingredients, including all-purpose flour, baking soda and kosher salt. Mix just until combined, then use a spatula to transfer the banana bread batter to an 8 x 8-inch pan lined with parchment paper.
“I like to top it off with some sugar,” Gaines says, as she sprinkles this evenly atop the batter. “I do about 2 tablespoons. Some people might call this dessert, but I call this a snack!”
Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. “When completely cooled, cover the pan with foil and store at room temperature for up to 2 days,” Gaines suggests in the recipe…if you’re lucky enough to have it last that long!
If she doesn’t serve a slice as an after-school snack for the fam, Gaines enjoys it in the A.M.: “This is a breakfast we have a lot. Banana bread with some butter on top and a side of eggs made to order. Every kid has a different way they like their eggs.” (#relatablecontent)
As she holds up a lofty slice to the camera, Gaines says, “Look how delicious that looks. This bread? So good. A little butter on top,” she adds as she tops her slice with a thin coating of butter. “This is not a bad way to start a morning. It’s hard to beat banana bread!”
The only thing that we think might come close? Joanna Gaines’ 6-ingredient lemon bars, which look like the perfect summer dessert! Get the recipe for After-School Banana Bread here.
link
