Kids Cook: Banana Bread

We love getting kids into the kitchen, and this easy banana bread recipe means that everyone can get involved in the making of this treat.

If you've been reading our blog for a while now you know we love making muffins on a regular basis, but banana bread is also a staple in our household. The tips below really can be used with any banana bread recipe, but this just happens to be our favorite. 

Recipe adapted from Betty Crocker's New Cookbook. 

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter

2 large eggs

3 to 4 medium bananas

1/2 cup milk (or buttermilk)

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon cardamom (optional, but we like the flavor addition)

Recipe:

A grown-up should preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. 

Peel the bananas and place in a plastic bag. 

Give the bag to the littlest member of the household, 

and allow them to squish it!

The more squished, the better. 

Meanwhile mix the butter and sugar in the mixer. 

(We often use a smaller cup to scoop out and fill a larger cup.)

In our house, now that Big Brother is old enough he's able to be in charge of turning on the mixer. It's a great way to practice reading numbers too, as he has to turn it on to the right number (speed.) 

Next add in the eggs. 

Blend until well mixed, then add in the bananas, milk, and vanilla. Blend until smooth. We usually cut a hole in one corner of the banana bag and squeeze it into the mixer. 

Finally measure in all the dry ingredients and mix until just moistened. 

Oil either one loaf pan for a large loaf, or two smaller loaf pans for two loaves. We use out pastry brush and "paint" cooking oil onto the pans. 

Pour the batter into the pans (this is a grown-up job in our house) and bake in the oven so the tops of the loaves are in the middle for about 60 minutes. (If making one loaf it usually takes an hour and fifteen minutes.) Check by poking the bread with a toothpick to make sure it is done, the toothpick should come out clean. (Also jobs for grown-ups.)

This bread is delicious eaten warm, but also makes a yummy breakfast the next day. 

The Complete Recipe: 

Recipe adapted from the Betty Crocker New Cook book. 

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter

2 large eggs

3 to 4 medium bananas

1/2 cup milk (or buttermilk)

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon cardamom (optional, but we like the flavor addition)

Recipe:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. 

2. Peel the bananas and mash in a bowl or plastic bag.

3. Mix the sugar and butter with a mixer until creamed together. 

4. Add in the eggs and blend until fully mixed. 

5. Add in the bananas, milk, and vanilla. Mix until smooth. 

6. Add in the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom.) 

7. Pour into either one 9 inch loaf, or two 8 inch loaf pans. (Oil the loaf pan/pans before pouring in the batter.) 

8. Bake in the oven so the loaf tops are in the middle until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. (For two loaves bake for about an hour, for one loaf about an hour and 15 minutes.)

This post may also have been shared at some of these terrific link parties.