Banana Bread

Banana bread is oh-so-simple... yet like many simple recipes, requires a few out of the ordinary ingredients to bring it from potentially boring to memorable. A hint of spice, honey for sweetness and moist texture, and one final touch—a few spoonfuls of jam—distinguish this tasty bread from run-of-the-mill versions.

Recipe via kingarthurbaking.com

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 325°F. Lightly grease a 9" x 5" loaf pan; or a 12" x 4" tea loaf pan.

2. 2

   In a large bowl, combine the butter, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, beating until smooth.

3. 3

   Add the mashed bananas, jam, honey, and eggs, again beating until smooth.

4. 4

   Add the flour, then the walnuts, stirring just until smooth.

5. 5

   Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top. Let it rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.

6. 6

   Bake the bread for 45 minutes, then gently lay a piece of aluminum foil across the top, to prevent over-browning.

7. 7

   Bake for an additional 25 minutes (20 minutes if you're baking in a tea loaf pan). Remove the bread from the oven; a long toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center should come out clean, with a few wet crumbs clinging to it. The tester shouldn't show any sign of uncooked batter. If it does, bake the bread an additional 5 minutes, or until it tests done.

8. 8

   Allow the bread to cool for 10 minutes in the pan. Remove it from the pan, and cool it completely on a rack.