"Best Ever" Banana Bread

Adam has been working on a project out of state for many months, and it is finally coming to a close! To reward all of his co-workers I wanted to give him something to take that they could eat while they finish things up. I had seen this banana bread on the Chocolate Peanut Butter Gallery and decided that would be good to make for them because it's good for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Let's just say that second time's the charm! I got it all mixed and in the oven and after the time beeped, took it out but it didn't seem ready so I put it back in for 10 minutes and the toothpick came out clean. I let it cool and rest, and went to cut it, but it was kind of gooey inside still. So I baked for ten more minutes, then ten more minutes, then upped the temp and ten more minutes, and another ten minutes. Still gummy. What in the world! I followed the recipe....so I looked back at the recipe and I totally forgot the baking soda!!!! I was so dissapointed. I decided to roll up my sleeves and try again. So, I tossed that batch and I made a second loaf for Adam's co-workers this time making sure to remember the baking soda...and it turned out so delicious!!

This bread really has great flavor and moisture and it really is the best banana bread I've ever had. I kept going back for one more bite!:) I took some cues from the comments on allrecipes.com and added vanilla, cinnamon and subbed 1/2 cup white sugar for brown sugar. I also topped it with cinnamon and sugar adding a really nice sweetness and crunch. The recipe I used is below, including the baking soda :)! Hope you enjoy and this bread would be great to make in mini loaves and give away as gifts or a thank you. Just reduce the baking time.

Best Ever Banana Bread

Source: allrecipes.com via Chocolate Peanut Butter Gallery

Ingredients:
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil OR applesauce
1 cup mashed bananas

1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

For Topping:

1 tbsp. cinnamon

1 tbsp. white sugar

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Spray one 9x5 inch loaf pan with non-stick spray coating.
Blend together the eggs, buttermilk, oil, vanilla and bananas.
Sift together the sugar, flour, baking soda, tsp. cinnamon and salt.

Add to banana mixture and stir in pecans (if desired).

Mix well. Pour into prepared loaf pan and bake 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

While the bread is baking, stir together the 1 tbsp. cinnamon and sugar. Once bread comes out of oven sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top. Stick back in a turned off oven for 1 minute.

Allow bread to cool, turn out of pan and cut into slices.