From November 1980 – November 1990, I worked as a Child Psych RN at an inpatient facility for children – both a heart-wrenching and immensely rewarding experience. I worked with an amazing staff there and, from time to time, we would celebrate an event at the hospital with a potluck meal. One particular nurse would always bring this absolutely delicious banana bread – filled with small chunks of banana, crushed pineapple and fragrant cinnamon. She adamantly refused to share the recipe! Bear in mind that this was before the days of the world-wide-web and search engines. She promised that if she ever left she would share the recipe with all of us. The day finally came that she turned in her resignation due to her husband’s job transfer. I must admit I said “we’ll miss you” but (secretly) couldn’t wait to get my hands on the recipe! As promised, she did, indeed, share the recipe with us before she left.
And I, of course, shared it with anyone who wanted it…
Favorite Banana Bread
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
3 eggs, beaten
1 & 1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 cups mashed ripe bananas
1 (15 & 1/4 oz.) can crushed pineapple, DRAINED
2 teaspoons vanilla
Combine the dry ingredients. Stir in (optional) nuts and set aside.
Combine the remaining ingredients and add to the dry ingredients – stirring just until moistened.
Spray 3 loaf pans (9 x 5 x 3) with Baker’s Joy (or similar product).
Makes small loaves.
For larger loaves, use two loaf pans.
Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 45 minutes – 1 hour based on pan size and oven. Just watch closely.
Enjoy and feel free to share the recipe! 😉
6 Comments
Sunny
You wrote this at the PERFECT time, Dianne!! I have 4 large bananas that have just gone that PERFECT speckled brown to make banana bread and I was just on here looking for a new recipe for them! Banana Bread is one of my all time fav desserts, and a relatively healthy one(or at least it isnt chocolate!!), too, so I make it about once a month and I ALWAYS take it to share at work, too.
I do share most of my recipes, but I do have a handful of them that are heirloom recipes passed down from my great-great grandmothers that I dont share with anyone but family…….altho I have been known to share a couple of them with my nearest and dearest friends. I’m just hoping grannies arent mad about it when I get to heaven….otherwise I’m in for a hickory switching!!!! LOL!!
tanna
I can’t think of a better comfort food than banana bread. The smell of it baking is like a dose of heaven. Thank you for this one, Dianne. I’m still smiling about the nurse who waited to share until she was leaving. 😉 blessings ~ tanna
grace
oooh, pineapple! what a great addition to banana bread, as it adds even more moistness and makes it seem a bit tropical. some coconut and macadamia nuts would really make it outstanding!
Sunny
Oh wow…I never thought of coconut, Grace!!! I’ll have to add that too next time!!!
Dianne
Sunny, be sure to check out Grace’s blog for all sorts of amazing recipes!
Kathleen
I’m going to have to try this recipe it sounds so good and I’ll be adding the nuts for certain. Thank you, I know I’m going to like it.