Ultimate Banana Bread

Name: Ultimate Banana Bread
Yield: Serves 10 (Makes one 9-inch loaf)
Ingredients: 1 3/4 cups (8 3/4 ounces/248 grams), unbleached all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon, baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon, table salt; 6 large, very ripe bananas (about 2 1/4 pounds), peeled (see note); 8 tablespoons (1 stick), unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly; 2 large, eggs; 3/4 cup (5 1/4 ounces/149 grams), packed light brown sugar; 1 teaspoon, vanilla extract; 1/2 cup, walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped (optional); 2 teaspoons, granulated sugar

Desserts or Baked Goods
Fruit
Quick Breads

Appears in Cook's Illustrated July/August 2010, America's Test Kitchen TV

Say goodbye to dry, bland banana bread. For a showstopping loaf with a deep golden crust and velvety crumb, use your microwave.

SERVES 10 (Makes one 9-inch loaf)

TIME 2½ hours

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