Banana Bread

We love banana bread at our house.  All of us do, but no one more than Cam.  This kid would eat it for days and until he was sick and not quit.  He danced around the kitchen singing a song about how much longer it would be until he could eat a banana muffin the last time I made them.  It is super easy and has a surprise ingredient that takes it to the next level. 

1 1/4 cups sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened (1 cube)

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (3-4 medium)

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 t vanilla

2 1/2 cups flour

1 t baking soda

1 t salt

1/2 (ish) cup sugar - set aside for later

Optional add-ins

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup chocolate chips

Move oven rack to low position (for bread only.)

Preheat oven to 350*.

Grease bottoms of bread pans or muffin tin or use paper liners.

Mix sugar and butter in large bowl

Stir in eggs until well-blended.

Add bananas, buttermilk and vanilla.

Beat until smooth

Stir in flour, baking soda and salt until just moistened.

Pour into pans or fill muffins cups 2/3 full.

Sprinkle sugar generously on top.

Bake loaves for 45-55 mins.

Bake muffins for 17 mins.

Makes 2 loaves or 24 muffins.

Notes:

1. I always lower my rack for the bread but not the muffins.  It really does make a difference.

2. DO NOT overmix the flour.  Your bread or muffins will fall. When it says "barely moistened" do it exactly. 

3. I love this with nuts AND chocolate chips, but my family doesn't so I don't do it often.  It is to die for that way!

4. The sugar on top is a little secret my mom learned from our home teacher in our ward in California who was a manager at Marie Calendar's. It is SO good!

5. I use a 24-cup muffin tin that I got HERE. I love this thing.  It does have a dark coating so my bake time is based on that. If you use a light pan you may want to add a couple minutes to your time.

6. If you don't have buttermilk, don't worry! I rarely use actual buttermilk. To make your own, put 1/2 t of lemon juice or white vinegar in a measuring cup, then add milk to make a 1/2 cup. Stir together and let sit for a couple minutes.