No Fail Banana Bread

Banana bread is an unparalleled experience.

It all starts with watching as your precious bananas turn from bright yellow to freckled to scary close to rotten. Isn't science fascinating?

Then, you get to take your rage out at the bananas. Poor, innocent bananas.

Get all nostalgic by mixing up simple ingredients to create a batter that tastes insanely good for something that looks like mush. Not that I lick the beater or anything.

Finally, the batter is poured into a bread pan which makes you feel all house-wifey because it's homemade bread. You watch through the oven door as the bread slowly rises and browns, filling the house with that familiar, soul warming aroma. The bread comes out and you wait. You wait until you just can't stand it anymore. Then you slice into the tender, dense, and moist bread. You ignore the steam escaping from between the slices, slather on some butter, and savor the first bite of your warm, unadulterated banana bread.

Bliss. And, if you're anything like me, you blissfully return to the loaf for seconds. And thirds. Until your dad comes and eats half a loaf in 2.4 seconds. Oh well. Maybe bliss should be shared.

Are you craving banana bread as much as I am now? This recipe is so simple. It contains just the basic ingredients: flour, sugar, bananas, baking soda, margarine, eggs, vanilla, and cinnamon. Surely you have most, if not all, of these ingredients in your kitchen right now. The batter is so quick to whip up. You'll be in banana bread heaven in no time. And so will your dad or whomever you choose shares in the bliss. With 4 ripe bananas, you're assured a sweet and moist bread every time. No need for yogurt or oil or brown sugar. The recipe I adapted from has 5 stars and 463 reviews - that's what I call no fail!

No Fail Banana Bread

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) margarine, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
•  1/2 tsp vanilla
• 4 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon (or more to taste)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9x5 loaf pan.
2.  Cream together the softened margarine and sugar. Add the eggs, vanilla, and mashed banana. Mix until combined. 
3. Add the flour, baking soda, and cinnamon. Mix until combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. 
4. Bake for 55-60 minutes. Test for doneness with a toothpick or touch to see if it is firm. If the top is browning too much before it is done, cover with aluminum foil. Allow to cool for about 5-10 minutes in the pan. Turn it out of the pan for it to cool completely. Savor the experience!

Makes 1 9x5 inch loaf. Adapted from http://www.food.com/recipe/best-banana-bread-2886.