PREP TIME: 20 MINS
COOK TIME: 1 HOUR
SERVES: 8-10 (PER LOAF)
MAKES: 2 x LOAFS

INGREDIENTS:

• ½ cup Devondale Light Sour Cream
• 2 tsp bicarbonate soda
• 250g softened Devondale Unsalted Butter
• 3 cups brown sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 ½ cups plain flour
• 1 ½ cups wholemeal plain flour
• 2 tsp vanilla essence
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cups mashed banana (ripe)
• ¼ cup brown sugar (extra)
• 1 banana sliced (extra)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat your oven to 180ºC (fan force). Lightly grease and line 2 loaf tins (11 x 21cm base measurement).
2. Mix the bicarbonate soda into the sour cream until dissolved.
3. Place all ingredients (excluding the extra brown sugar and sliced banana) into a large bowl. Add the sour cream mixture and mix on low for 1-2 minutes until combined. Continue to mix on medium-high for a further 5 minutes or until the batter is smooth and light golden brown in color.
4. Sprinkle the base of the loaf tins with the extra brown sugar and lay a line of banana rounds down the middle of the tin. Pour equal amounts of batter into each tin.
5. Bake on the middle shelf for 1 hour or until a skewer comes out clean when tested.

Tip: The loaf will freeze well, making it convenient for future enjoyment.

Here are some variations you can try for this banana bread recipe:

1. NUTTY BANANA BREAD: Add chopped nuts such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the batter for extra crunch and flavor. About 1 cup of chopped nuts should do the trick.
2. CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD: Add 1 cup of chocolate chips to the batter for a delightful chocolatey twist. This is especially loved by kids and chocolate enthusiasts.
3. CINNAMON-RAISIN BANANA BREAD: Mix in 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and 1/2 cup of raisins to the batter. The warmth of cinnamon and the sweetness of raisins complement the banana flavor nicely.
4. BANANA NUTELLA SWIRL BREAD: Swirl Nutella or any other chocolate-hazelnut spread into the batter before baking. This creates a delicious and visually appealing marbled effect.
5. COCONUT BANANA BREAD: Add 1/2 cup of shredded coconut to the batter for a tropical flair. You can also sprinkle some coconut on top before baking for an extra touch.
6. BERRY BANANA BREAD: Fold in 1 cup of fresh or frozen berries, such as blueberries or raspberries, to the batter. This adds a burst of fruity goodness to each slice.
7. APPLE-CINNAMON BANANA BREAD: Add 1 cup of finely chopped apples and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the batter for a delightful autumn twist.
8. MAPLE-PECAN BANANA BREAD: Use maple syrup instead of some of the brown sugar and add 1 cup of chopped toasted pecans. This imparts a rich, autumnal flavor.
9. BANANA BREAD MUFFINS: Pour the batter into a muffin tin instead of loaf tins to make individual banana bread muffins. Adjust the baking time to around 20-25 minutes.
10. GLUTEN-FREE BANANA BREAD: Use a gluten-free flour blend instead of regular flour to make a gluten-free version of this delicious banana bread.
11. LEMON BLUEBERRY BANANA BREAD: Add the zest of one lemon to the batter, along with 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries. This combination adds a refreshing citrus twist and bursts of juicy blueberries.
12. CARROT BANANA BREAD: Incorporate 1 cup of grated carrots to the batter for a moist and slightly healthier banana bread with a hint of carrot sweetness.