Some soft, black bananas turned up in the kitchen yesterday so I thought I'd bake some banana bread. I've been using the same recipe to make "my" banana bread for 8 years or so now and always thought it was delicious. But yesterday I got to thinking about the ultra-moist loaf my Mom makes and wondered how they'd stack up side by side. I swear I was not feeling competitive, just curious. Long story short, my Mom's was the clear winner. She uses brown sugar instead of white and (half as much) melted butter as I use veg oil and despite a bit less of a dome, I think in this case flavor trumps form.
![bananabread[1]](http://edf.marthastewart.com.php5-7.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/bananabread11-340x476.jpg)
As a kid we would have it spread with cream cheese, but this morning I had it spread with a bit of goat cheese and a cup of lemony Lady Grey tea. Thanks Mom! Her recipe after the jump.
From: Molly Moore | 12/7/09 at 7:25 pm
I can't wait to make this at home! A question, which is better for baking in general, unsalted or salted butter?
Keep up the great posts, I'm loving them
From: jP | 12/8/09 at 2:33 am
I love banana bread! Thanks for this healthy, tasty recipe!
From: Dawn Perry | 12/8/09 at 5:54 pm
Hi Molly,
So glad you're liking our posts! As a rule you always want to use unsalted butter when baking (and cooking for that matter). There's no way to know for sure how much salt is in a stick of salted butter so using unsalted let's you control the amount of sodium that goes in your recipes--especially important if you're salt sensitive.
From: Sara's sweet treat | 12/11/09 at 1:35 pm
to tell you the truth it's delicious and really simple ...i made it in my kitchen and i loved it you've outdone your self ...thank you .
From: Theresa | 12/13/09 at 1:37 am
Fantastic recipe - I just made it this morning and my mother in law and husband have wolfed half the loaf already!
From: Mary | 12/22/09 at 3:29 am
I made this tonight with a few adaptations: added a t. of cinnamon and a handful of craisins. It turned out fantastic. So much better than the Betty Crocker recipe I'd been using for years. Not as sweet and a better taste. Thanks!
From: Elyse | 1/4/10 at 9:44 am
I just made the recipe and love it! Banana bread is a guilty pleasure for me. I have to share that I use a cool banana bread pan vs. the regular loaf pan. It just seems like a "martha" type thing to use - a little extra something. http://www.parkers-pantry.com/product/4463//Nordic+Ware/Banana+Bread+Loaf+Pan/
I love the detail of the banana trees.
From: Annie | 6/9/10 at 3:35 pm
Made this in the morning. Your mom's recipe is a keeper.
I don't even like banana bread and I'm having to restrain myself. The kids and I have polished off half the loaf. Simple, moist, and easy enough to make with children. Thanks so much!