Mary Berry's Banana Bread: A Classic Recipe for Delicious Success

Mary Berry's name is synonymous with baking excellence. Her recipes are renowned for their simplicity, reliability, and, most importantly, their delicious results. This blog post delves into her iconic banana bread recipe, providing a step-by-step guide, tips for success, and variations to personalize your loaf. Get ready to bake the perfect, moist, and flavorful banana bread!

Ingredients for Mary Berry's Banana Bread

This recipe uses readily available ingredients, making it perfect for both novice and experienced bakers. You'll need:

• 175g (6oz) softened butter
• 175g (6oz) caster sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 225g (8oz) self-raising flour
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• Pinch of salt
• 3-4 ripe bananas, mashed

Note: Using very ripe bananas is key to achieving that intense banana flavor. The riper, the better! The brown spots are your friend!

Step-by-Step Instructions: Baking Perfection

Follow these steps to bake Mary Berry's perfect banana bread:

1. Preheat & Prepare: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan/Gas Mark 4). Grease and flour a 2lb loaf tin (approximately 9x5 inches). This prevents sticking and ensures easy removal.

2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and caster sugar until light and fluffy. This incorporates air, leading to a lighter texture. An electric mixer makes this step easier, but it's perfectly doable by hand.

3. Add Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.

4. Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the self-raising flour, bicarbonate of soda, and salt. Sifting removes lumps and ensures even distribution of the raising agents.

5. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, folding gently until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough loaf, so be careful not to overwork the batter.

6. Incorporate Bananas: Gently fold in the mashed bananas. Again, be gentle to avoid overmixing.

7. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf tin and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

8. Cool & Enjoy: Let the banana bread cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents it from becoming soggy.

Tips for Banana Bread Success

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for optimal creaming and mixing.
• Don't Overmix: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough loaf. Mix until just combined.
• Check for Doneness: Use a skewer or toothpick to check if the bread is baked through. If it comes out clean, it's ready.
• Storage: Store your banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage.

Variations on a Classic

While Mary Berry's recipe is a classic, you can easily personalize it:

• Add-ins: Experiment with adding nuts (walnuts, pecans), chocolate chips, or dried fruits (raisins, cranberries) to the batter.
• Spices: A dash of cinnamon or nutmeg adds warmth and depth of flavor.
• Glaze: A simple glaze made with powdered sugar and milk can add extra sweetness and visual appeal.

Mary Berry's banana bread is a timeless recipe that delivers consistently delicious results. Follow these steps, and you'll be rewarded with a moist, flavorful loaf perfect for any occasion. Happy baking!