Healthy and Delicious Homemade Banana Bread
[Home Baking] Moist and Sweet Banana Bread, Reduced Sugar, Packed with Bananas!
As I’ve been maintaining a healthy lifestyle for months, I’ve naturally drifted away from snacks and carbonated drinks. My impulse to eat them has diminished so much that the instant ramen I bought months ago is nearing its expiration date. These days, I’m focusing on home-cooked meals, and I’ve also turned to home baking for my snacks. Today, I’ve made banana bread packed with wholesome bananas and very little added sugar. It’s a delightful home-baked dessert perfect for kids’ snacks or an afternoon tea.
Ingredients for Banana Bread
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 fresh egg
- 30g granulated sugar or unrefined sugar
- 30ml milk
- 30g unsalted butter
- 55g cake flour, sifted
- 1g baking powder
- 1g salt (a pinch)
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1g cinnamon powder (or 2g, to taste)
- Powdered sugar (optional, for decoration)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, melt 30g of unsalted butter in a microwave-safe container until smooth. Lightly coat a banana-shaped mold with the melted butter using a kitchen towel. This step ensures the bread will release easily from the mold.
Step 2
Peel one banana and slice off the sides thinly to create decorative pieces for the top of the bread. Setting these aside will make your finished banana bread look even more appealing.
Step 3
Place the remaining banana pieces into a bowl and mash them thoroughly with a fork or spatula until smooth. Very ripe bananas are easier to mash. Aim for a smooth consistency without large lumps.
Step 4
In a separate bowl, crack one fresh egg and pour in 30ml of milk.
Step 5
Carefully add the melted unsalted butter from earlier into this bowl.
Step 6
Whisk or stir gently with a fork until all ingredients are well combined. Ensure the egg, milk, and butter are evenly incorporated.
Step 7
Now, add 30g of sugar to the bowl. You can adjust the sugar amount or reduce it based on your preference, as the bananas themselves provide natural sweetness.
Step 8
Add 1g of salt to balance the flavors. Salt helps to enhance the sweetness of the bread.
Step 9
Add 55g of sifted cake flour to the batter. Also, add 1g of baking powder to help the bread rise beautifully.
Step 10
Add 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract for an enhanced aroma. Include 1g of cinnamon powder, which pairs wonderfully with bananas. If you enjoy a stronger cinnamon flavor, you can use up to 2g. The rich aroma will further elevate the appeal of your banana bread.
Step 11
Add the mashed banana to the batter and gently fold everything together with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a tough bread.
Step 12
Fill the prepared banana-shaped mold with the batter, about 70-80% full. Avoid overfilling, as the bread may expand and overflow during baking.
Step 13
Arrange the thinly sliced banana pieces prepared earlier on top of the batter. Arranging them decoratively will make your finished banana bread look even prettier.
Step 14
Bake in a preheated oven at 170°C (340°F) for approximately 20 minutes. Baking time and temperature may vary depending on your oven, so check for doneness by inserting a skewer; it should come out clean when the bread is fully baked. Once golden brown, remove from the oven and let it cool. For an extra touch of sweetness, you can dust with powdered sugar before serving.
