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4.38 from 8 votes

Ultimate Banana Bread Mini Loaves

Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Quick Breads
Keyword: baking, food, recipe
Servings: 2 mini loaves
Author: Barbara Schieving

Ingredients

  • ¾ cups + 2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon table salt
  • 3 large very ripe bananas
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and cooled slightly
  • 1 large egg
  • cup + 1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup dried cranberries optional
  • ¼ cup walnuts toasted and coarsely chopped (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350º. Spray two mini loaf pans (5 ¾ x 3 ¼ x 2 ¼) with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together in large bowl.
  • Place 2 ½ bananas in microwave-safe bowl; cover with plastic wrap and cut several steam vents in plastic with paring knife. Microwave on high power until bananas are soft and have released liquid, about 2 minutes. Transfer bananas to fine-mesh strainer placed over a bowl and allow to drain, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes (you should have ¼ to ⅓ cup liquid).
  • Transfer liquid to small saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat, stir reduced liquid into bananas, and mash with potato masher until fairly smooth. Whisk in butter, eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla.
  • Pour banana mixture into flour mixture and stir until just combined with some streaks of flour remaining. Gently fold in dried cranberries and walnuts, if using. Scrape batter into prepared pan.
  • Slice remaining half banana diagonally into ¼-inch-thick half moon slices. Shingle banana slices on top of either side of loaf, leaving 1 ½-inch-wide space down center to ensure even rise. Sprinkle granulated sugar evenly over loaf.
  • Bake until toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool bread in pan on wire rack 10 minutes, then remove loaf from pan and continue to cool on wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.