I’ve been hanging on to a few bananas this week knowing I wanted to make a banana bread. Dennis bought me a Breville Smart Oven Air (countertop oven) for my birthday. I love it! It can make up to a 14 pound turkey as well as fit a 9×13 pan. I’m looking forward to using all the fun features this oven offers. This oven has many functions and they are -toast, bagel, broil, bake, roast, warm, pizza, proof, airfry, reheat, cookies, slow cook, and dehydrate. I can’t wait to try them all. Today, I used the bake function so I could make my banana bread.

I was so excited to use my new Breville oven, I took a picture of the banana bread once I placed it inside.

I added cinnamon and nutmeg to my bread, knowing my house would smell wonderful once the bread was baking in my new oven.

I started by creaming softened butter and sugar together and then adding two large, eggs, 1 cup of mashed, ripe bananas, milk (I used fat free because that is always what I have on hand), and vanilla.

In another bowl, I combined all-purpose flour, chopped walnuts (1 cup, I wanted a lot of walnuts in my bread, not just a few bits and pieces), cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and kosher salt.

I slowly added the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mixed everything together. Next, I poured the mixture into a greased (bottom only) 9×5 inch loaf pan and placing it into a preheated 350 degree oven for 65 minutes, checking after 55.

Dennis and I live in a neighborhood filled with the most wonderful neighbors anyone could hope for. Our next door neighbors, Seth and Deanna have the two cutest little girls, Abby and Madelyn. They are so sweet! Deanna’s parents came in from Chicago today. I know they’re going to enjoy the nice weather we’ve been having. Deanna’s parents are always so kind and say hello whenever they see me outside. I knew they’d be coming in today, so decided I’d make two banana breads, one for us and one to take next door for Seth and Deanna to share with their family. I hope they enjoy my Cinnamon Walnut Banana Bread and I hope if you try it, you enjoy it too. I know I’ll be enjoying a slice of this with my coffee tomorrow morning!

Ingredients

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 large eggs

1 cup mashed, ripe bananas (2-3 bananas)

1/3 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 teaspoon baking soda

1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease or spray bottom of a 9×5 loaf an.
3. In large bowl (or bowl of an electric mixer), cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs and beat.
5. Add mashed bananas, milk and vanilla and blend.
6. In another bowl, combine flour, walnuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, kosher salt and baking soda. Mix.
7. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix together until moistened.
8. Pour into prepared loaf pan and bake for 55-65 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.

Enjoy!

Until next time, Kris