Yeasted Banana Bread

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4.60 from 22 votes

Yeasted banana bread is the perfect soft sandwich bread, with just enough sweetness for an epic PB&J at lunch time.

Prep Time2 15

Cook Time30

Total Time2 45

Course: Bread

Cuisine: American

Keyword: banana bread, Yeast Bread

Servings: slices (2 loaves)

Author: Ashley Adamant

Ingredients

5 1/2 cups flour plus more for kneading if necessary
4 1/2 tsp. active dry yeast 2 packets
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar see note
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter melted
2-3 ripe bananas mashed (1 cup)
2 eggs

Instructions

Warm milk slightly, until just barely lukewarm (about 90-100 degrees). Add yeast and allow it to dissolve for 5-10 minutes.
While yeast is dissolving, mash bananas and melt butter.
In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or by hand): Mix mashed bananas, melted butter, sugar, salt, and eggs. Then add yeast/milk mixture and stir to combine.
Add half the flour and mix with the paddle attachment (or by hand).
Switch to a dough hook (or turn out onto the counter) and knead in the remaining flour.
Knead the yeasted banana bread dough for 5-6 minutes with a stand mixer, or 8-10 minutes by hand.
Place bread dough into a buttered bowl and allow it to rise for 45-60 minutes until doubled in bulk.
Punch the dough down, divide it in half and form it into two loaf pans.
Allow the dough to rise again until it's raised up above the lip of the pan (about 45 minutes). Preheat the oven to 350 degrees while the bread rises.
(optional) Beat an egg with a tablespoon of water and use it to brush the top of both loaves.
Bake the loaves at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes, until well browned.
Remove from the oven and turn out onto a cooling rack. Cool bread completely before cutting.

Notes

This recipe uses between 1/4 and 1/2 cup of sugar. I generally prefer just a very lightly sweetened loaf, so I use 1/4 cup and it makes the perfect sandwich bread. If you'd like a sweeter bread, go with 1/2 cup.

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