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Mrs. Myers' Banana Bread

Mrs. Myers banana bread is an old-fashioned banana bread loaf with a deeply golden, cracked top and a moist crumb. This classic Southern banana bread bakes until a toothpick tests clean, then cools fully for clean slices.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Banana bread loaf
  • 3 bananas Ripe bananas, mashed until mostly smooth.
  • 0.5 cup shortening or butter Use shortening or butter; softened.
  • 1 cup sugar Granulated sugar.
  • 2 eggs Large eggs.
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp milk Any milk works; room temperature.

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease and flour a 9x5 loaf pan with a light, even coating.
  2. Mash the bananas until smooth, then set aside so they can be mixed in quickly.
Mix the batter
  1. Cream shortening or butter with sugar until light and fluffy, scraping the sides as needed for even texture.
  2. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each until the mixture looks glossy and combined.
  3. Stir in mashed bananas and vanilla until just combined.
  4. Sift all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt together.
  5. Fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture alternating with milk, mixing just until no streaks of flour remain.
Bake and cool
  1. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 60–70 minutes at 350°F, until a toothpick comes out clean and the top is a deep golden brown.
  2. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then turn out and rest fully before slicing for the cleanest cut.

Notes

Pro tip: use very ripe bananas (with lots of brown spots) for the moist, old-fashioned crumb and deeper flavor. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or refrigerate up to 5 days. Freeze slices wrapped well for up to 2 months. For a dietary swap, use butter and swap the shortening for an equal amount of butter to keep it classic while reducing the shortening portion.