How To Make Banana Bread Without A Loaf Pan Recipe

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There’s something inherently comforting about the smell of banana bread wafting through the house. It’s a scent that immediately transports me to warm sunny afternoons with my grandchildren. Banana bread is a family favorite, filled with lots of love and tradition. As soon as it comes out of the oven it almost instantly disappears, with just a few crumbs left as evidence of its existence. Today, I want to share not just a recipe, but a piece of family tradition, and show you how to make delicious banana bread even if you don’t have a loaf pan.

Where Have All the Loaf Pans Gone?

With a floral apron wrapped around my waist, a wooden spoon in hand, and old recipe cards scattered over the kitchen counter I am ready to get started on the banana bread my family has been so eagerly waiting for, but what’s this? Somehow all my loaf pans have mysteriously disappeared! Maybe they’re hiding behind a few pots and pans–maybe the grand kids have found a mischievous use for them, or maybe my friend hasn’t returned the pan I made the cherry bread in last week. Regardless of the reason I’m now stuck with a bunch of very ripe organic bananas and a whole lot of disappointment. If you’re like me–following the recipe’s exact instructions are a must, but have no fear–we can still make a delicious and moist banana bread without a loaf pan (no experimentation required)!

Embracing the versatility of baking, I’ll show you how to use a square pan, muffin tin, or even a bundt pan to achieve that perfect banana bread, ensuring every bite is as delightful and unforgettable as ever. The key is to adjust the bake time and use the same ingredients, turning a potential baking mishap into a creative triumph

The Versatility of Baking

One of the wonderful things about banana bread is its versatility. While a loaf pan is traditional, it’s by no means necessary. I’ve often heard said that a good baker could make do with what they had. Sometimes, we’d bake our banana bread in muffin tins, creating delightful individual portions perfect for sharing. Other times, we used a round cake pan, cutting slices that were just as moist and delicious as those from a loaf of banana bread.

The Recipe

Here’s a beloved banana bread recipe, with a twist – you can use any 8 inch pan depending on what you have on hand. This flexibility not only makes the recipe accessible but also brings out the creative baker in you.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• ¼ teaspoons sea salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 egg, beaten
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 ½ cups mashed ripened bananas, approximately 5 medium
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 

Instructions:

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray an 8×8-inch metal baking pan and set aside.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, egg, applesauce, sugar and melted butter. Mix well until combined.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, stir flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon until combined. 
4. Add flour mixture to wet ingredients and fold together with a spatula or large spoon. Be careful not to over mix, as this can make the bread dense. 
5. Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared pan 8×8 inch pan and spread evenly. Bake in the preheated 350°F oven for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 
6. Cool and Enjoy: Allow the banana bread to cool in the pan for about 30 minutes. If you need to store it, wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep it fresh. Serve warm with a pat of butter, or simply enjoy it as is. This easy banana bread recipe is sure to please your taste buds.

Notes:

•  For easy cleanup, you can also line your pan with parchment paper.
• ¼ cup apple sauce can be substituted with 1 beaten egg.
• Store in a covered container for up to 3 days.
• You can add chocolate chips or any kind of nuts to the batter before baking.

A Family Favorite

As the banana bread bakes, the warm, sweet scent fills the kitchen, evoking powerful memories and bringing the past into the present. Baking without a loaf pan may seem unconventional, but it’s a wonderful reminder that the essence of baking lies in the joy and love we pour into it, not the tools we use.

Each bite of this banana bread is a tribute to cherished moments, a taste of nostalgia that transcends time. Whether you’re making it in a loaf pan, muffin tin, or any other creative vessel, what matters most is the shared experience and the simple pleasure of home-baked goodness. This delicious banana bread will quickly become a family favorite.

Final Thoughts

Next time you find yourself with very ripe bananas and no loaf pan in sight, remember that baking is about adaptability and creativity. Embrace the opportunity to try something new and bring a bit of the past into your kitchen. As you enjoy a slice of this versatile homemade banana bread, may it bring you as much comfort and joy as it always has for me and my grandmother. Happy baking!

Banana Bread Recipe Without Loaf Pan

This banana bread recipe is easy to follow and perfect for any pan you have. Using ripe bananas, melted butter, and vanilla, it creates a moist and flavorful bread. You can bake it in a square pan, muffin tin, or bundt pan and add chocolate chips or nuts if you like. This versatile recipe is sure to become a family favorite.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 9

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• ¼ teaspoons sea salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 egg beaten
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 ½ cups mashed ripened bananas approximately 5 medium
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

Instructions

 

• Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray an 8×8-inch metal or ceramic baking pan and set aside.
• Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, egg, applesauce, sugar and melted butter. Mix well until combined.
• Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, stir flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon until combined.
• Add flour mixture to wet ingredients and fold together with a spatula or large spoon. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the bread dense.
• Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared pan 8×8 inch pan and spread evenly. Bake in the preheated 350°F oven for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Cool and Enjoy: Allow the banana bread to cool in the pan for about 30 minutes. If you need to store it, wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep it fresh. Serve warm with a pat of butter, or simply enjoy it as is. This easy banana bread recipe is sure to please your taste buds.

Notes

• • For easy cleanup, you can also line your pan with parchment paper.

• • ¼ cup apple sauce can be substituted with 1 beaten egg.

• • Store in a covered container for up to 3 days.

• • You can add chocolate chips or any kind of nuts to the batter before baking.

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