by Kathy H

Created on: September 03, 2008   Last Updated: September 20, 2008

The aroma of freshly baked banana nut bread wafting from your kitchen is hard to beat. Certainly the best banana bread is made from scratch following the instructions on an old family recipe.

If you are an inexperienced baker or if you just don't feel like cluttering up your kitchen counter with a bunch of ingredients, or your kitchen sink with too many dirty dishes, you can try this recipe. This quick and easy banana bread bakes up with a minimum of ingredients, and although not from scratch, it still makes your house smell scrumptious.

1 package nut quick bread mix
ingredients called for on the package
1 medium or 2 small over ripe bananas
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Prepare the quick bread mix using the ingredients listed on the package.

Peel the bananas and put them into a small mixing bowl. Mash them thoroughly with a fork. Add them to the quick bread batter. Stir in the nuts and combine well.

Pour the batter into a slightly greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until golden and done. A cake tester should come out clean or with crumbs attached to it after being inserted into the middle of the loaf of bread.

Allow the bread to cool completely before removing it from the baking pan and wrapping it in plastic wrap.

Refrigerate the loaf overnight to achieve the best taste and texture. Serve as is or toasted, spread with butter, cream cheese or jam.

Variations

Instead of chopped walnuts you can use one of these

mini chocolate chips
peanuts
slivered almonds
hazelnuts
chopped dried fruit
flaked coconut
drained crushed pineapple
sliced strawberries
maraschino cherries
peanut butter baking chips
milk chocolate baking chips
chopped chocolate covered nuts

OR

any combination of 2 tablespoons each of any two from the list

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