Best Banana Bread

Delicious, moist and flavorful banana bread with walnuts, sweet spices, vanilla and almond extracts and a hint of orange.

Recipe Ingredients:

4 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
4 large eggs
1 3/4 cups brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 cups butter, melted
2 cups mashed ripe bananas
Finely grated peel of 1 fresh orange
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease two 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pans; set aside.
3. In large bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and, if desired, walnuts; set aside.
4. In another large mixing bowl beat eggs until light and frothy. Add sugar and melted butter, mixing well. Stir in mashed banana, grated peel, vanilla and almond extracts.
5. Add the flour mixture to the banana mixture and stir just to combine. Do not over mix.
6. Spoon batter evenly into prepared pans and bake for 1 hour, or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes before removing from pan. Cool on wire rack. Wrap tightly to store.

Makes 2 loaves.