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📖 The Story Behind Amish Banana Bread
Bananas have been enjoyed and accepted within the Amish community for almost a century now. While the fruit isn't native to the USA, bananas are pretty accessible, even in most Amish-owned groceries. I'm not sure really how the "Amish" version of banana bread differs from the rest. It's a very basic recipe (there are only so many ways one can make banana bread), although I do think most Amish would be using fresh from the hen-house eggs, whole milk, and possibly locally milled flour and that can make all the difference.
This easy banana bread recipe combines the simplicity of traditional Amish baking with the warm spice of cinnamon, creating a moist banana bread that's perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.
🛒 Where Do The Amish Buy Bananas?
Bananas have been popular in Amish communities for some time because they ship well. An Amish bulk food store owner can order some fruit in from a local vendor, the bananas can ship when they're very green, and can be on the shelf selling as they ripen. So they just make for a good product to sell in an Amish store where longer shelf lives are needed. An Amish store isn't like a supermarket with 1000 customers a day.
🍽️ How Do the Amish Use Bananas in Their Cooking?
The Amish use bananas like anybody else. Slice them and put them in homemade cereal. Mash them and use in banana bread. Or freeze as a summer sweet treat. Or mash them up and put them in a smoothie. There any many uses for bananas. Oh, geez, put some bananas on a sandwich with this Amish peanut butter spread and you'll be in heaven!
Pro tip: The key to the best banana bread is using very ripe bananas - the browner and softer, the better for maximum sweetness and flavor.
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions for Amish Cinnamon Banana Bread
There really aren't many steps to this, honestly. I didn't even follow the recipe exactly. I was in a hurry when I made this and I literally put everything in a bowl, including the bananas whole and stirred and mashed bananas as I stirred.
As a timesaver, doing it this way didn't really work. I recommend mashing bananas up first because you'll get them good and mashed and then dump them into the batter and stir. If you're really proficient at this, the batter could be mixed up in 10 minutes. Maybe less.
This homemade banana bread is incredibly forgiving and perfect for beginning bakers. Here's what makes this recipe special:
- Simple ingredients - No fancy equipment needed
- One bowl mixing - Minimal cleanup required
- Perfectly spiced - Just the right amount of cinnamon
- Moist texture - Thanks to the oil and ripe bananas
🔥 Baking Instructions
Preheat your oven. Pour into a lightly greased loaf pan, put in the oven for an hour. I had it in the oven for an hour maybe slightly more. I checked it at 50 minutes using the toothpick test and it was not done, but it was after 15 minutes more of baking. So this is really good.
I like cinnamon in just about anything, including banana bread. But if you want a basic banana bread recipe without the cinnamon just leave it out. If you are cinnamon lover like I am, it's a really nice additional twist to this recipe.
🍌 More Delicious Amish Banana Recipes
Blue Ribbon Banana Cake With Peanut Butter Frosting
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About This Banana Bread Recipe
Can I make this banana bread without cinnamon? Absolutely! Simply omit the cinnamon for a classic traditional banana bread recipe.
How do I know when my banana bread is done? Insert a toothpick into the center - it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
Can I freeze this cinnamon banana bread? Yes! Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
What's the secret to moist banana bread? Use very ripe bananas and don't overmix the batter. The oil (rather than butter) also helps keep it extra moist.
📌 Recipe Notes
- For extra moist results, don't overmix the batter
- Very ripe bananas (brown and soft) work best
- Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days
- This recipe also works great as muffins - just reduce baking time to 18-22 minutes
🏆 Why This is the Best Banana Bread Recipe
This Amish cinnamon banana bread stands out because it's:
- Incredibly moist thanks to the oil and ripe bananas
- Perfectly spiced with just the right amount of cinnamon
- Simple to make with basic pantry ingredients
- Foolproof - great for beginning bakers
- Versatile - enjoy for breakfast, snacks, or dessert
The traditional Amish approach to baking focuses on simplicity and quality ingredients, which is exactly what makes this homemade banana bread so special.
🖨️ Full Recipe
Cinnamon Banana Bread
Ingredients
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon (adjust to your taste)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Grease and flour a 9- x 5-inch loaf pan.
- Place oil in a large bowl.
- Gradually add sugar while beating lightly.
- Add eggs and continue beating.
- Add mashed bananas and beat just until moistened; set aside.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Add dry mixture to banana mixture and beat just until moistened.
- Add milk and vanilla, and continue beating just until mixed then pour into prepared loaf pan.
- Bake 50 to 60 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Let cool in pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Turn out onto rack and cool completely.
SueAnn
There are a zillion recipes for banana bread...and one I found...depending on the egg to flour to liquid mixture...makes more of a sponge type bread...than a regular bread-different texture...was fun to eat....sort of a angel food sponge..but with bananas!
Lucy Lou
This looks delicious, am going to cook it with the children today after their online schooling (school closed due to covid 19). Loving your website and emails, thanks.
Kevin
Enjoy the bread, Lucy, and, wow, this is a challenge having the kids out of school for so long!