Moist Banana Bread with Sour Cream: A Luscious Loaf is a delicious and easy-to-make recipe that will leave you craving for more. This version of a classic banana bread recipe uses sour cream, which adds an extra layer of richness and moisture. This bread is a perfect way to use up ripe bananas and can be enjoyed as a dessert, a snack, or even as a breakfast treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans), optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the sugar and softened butter until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix well after each addition.
- Mix in the sour cream, vanilla extract, and mashed bananas until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Stir in the chopped nuts, if using.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
- Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
History and Curiosities about Banana Bread
The history of banana bread can be traced back to the 1930s when baking soda was introduced as a leavening agent, replacing the previously used yeast. With this new ingredient, it became possible to make quick breads without the lengthy process of traditional yeast breads, leading to the creation of recipes like the Moist Banana Bread with Sour Cream.
Banana bread gained popularity during the Great Depression, as it was a way for people to use up overripe bananas that would otherwise go to waste. With the widespread availability of the fruit and its low cost, banana bread became a convenient and affordable treat during difficult times.
A curiosity about bananas is that they are actually classified as berries, and the plant they grow on is not a tree but rather a large herbaceous plant. Bananas are a great source of potassium, fiber, and vitamins A and C.
The addition of sour cream to this Moist Banana Bread recipe is a nod to the eastern European tradition of including sour cream in baked goods. In countries like Russia, Ukraine, and Poland, sour cream is often used in both sweet and savory dishes to enhance flavor and texture.
In conclusion, Moist Banana Bread with Sour Cream is a delicious and rich loaf that combines the classic flavors of banana bread with the added twist of sour cream. Its history and the use of sour cream make it a unique and interesting addition to your baking repertoire. Enjoy a slice on its own, or with a dollop of whipped cream or your favorite spread.