Mixer (ideal but not essential - you can do it manually)
Mixing bowls
Ingredients
2cupsself rising flourplain or all purpose flour will work, see discussion
2cupsmashed bananaabout 4 medium/small bananas or 2 large ones
2largeeggs(at room temperature)
¾cuplight or dark brown sugar
½cupbutter(unsalted, softened to room temperature)
⅓cupplain yogurt or sour cream
1teaspoonvanilla extract
½teaspoonground cinnamon
¼teaspoonsalt
1teaspoonbaking sodaoptional, see discussion
½teaspoonbaking powderoptional, see discussion
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (or 175 degrees C).
Grease and flour a 9 x 5 x 3 inch (or 23 x 13 x 6cm) loaf pan. Or line with baking paper (see 'notes' below).
In a large bowl, whisk self rising flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon together.
In a mixer using a paddle or whisk, beat the butter and brown sugar until it forms a creamy consistency. This should take a couple of minutes.
Using medium speed, add in one egg at a time - making sure that each egg is blended well before adding the next.
Beat in the yogurt, vanilla, and mashed bananas.
Once the wet ingredients are well combined, switch the mixer to low speed.
Fold in the dry ingredients a little at a time but do not over-mix.
Remove the bowl from mixer stand.
If you're using add-ins (chopped nuts, choc-chips etc), fold in using a spoon.
Scoop the batter into your prepared loaf pan.
Cover with aluminium foil and bake for 60 minutes. Remove foil after half-time.
After 1 hour, test the bread with a skewer. If it comes out clean when skewered, the bread has finished. If it comes out with batter on it, return the loaf pan to the oven for a further 5 minutes.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly, before turning out onto a wire rack to finish cooling.
Cut into slices and serve with butter, or have a look at the 'variations' (below).
Notes
If you use baking paper, remember to leave enough so that it overhangs the pan. Then, when cooked, you can lift the loaf out using the baking paper 'handles'.I have so many suggestions for add-ins for this recipe - see the 'variations' heading above. I've included freezing instructions above as well. I also make my lemon drizzle cake with self rising flour, give that a try as well, it is such a quick and easy recipe.