I Predict 6 More Weeks Of Baking: Banana Bread

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If Punxsutawney Phil had banana bread, he may have stayed out longer on Groundhog Day.

But the seer of seers, the prognosticator of all prognosticators saw his shadow on Feb. 2 and scampered back into his cozy burrow, predicting six more weeks of winter.

Whether the groundhog sees his shadow or not, I will personally predict that banana bread can make the next six weeks better. And since I live in Central Pennsylvania, about 80 miles east of Punxsy Phil, I imagine his prediction magic extends into the kitchens of neighboring counties, especially my own.

Groundhog Day holds a special place in my heart, as my paternal great-grandmother and many of my father’s relatives lived in Punxsutawney.

When I first met my second cousins, we walked to the Punxsutawney Memorial Library to meet Phil in his off-season home.

In 7th grade, my ‘favorite holiday’ essay was a deep-dive into my family’s association with Groundhog Day.

And as a journalist, I’ve spent a wild night at Gobbler’s Knob, observing huge crowds of excited Phil fans in a field in rural Jefferson County, celebrating a Pennsylvania tradition and patiently awaiting the big news of the day.

I understand that banana bread and a groundhog don’t really go together, but I can say with certainty that whether it’s an early spring or a continuing long winter: Warm, tender banana bread and a hot cup of coffee really does enhance either situation.

Recipe: Banana Bread

This is a flexible recipe that offers an opportunity to add other ingredients to make it your own:

• Toss some crushed pecans/walnuts or chocolate chips into the batter.
• Add a shake of cinnamon or a splash of vanilla extract for a more complex flavor.

The groundhog might predict the weather, but banana bread predicts a good day.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2-3)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup sugar
• ¼ cup boiling water
• 1 egg
• 1 ½ cups sifted flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions:

Step 1:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix bananas, sugar and softened butter in a large bowl.

Step 3:

Add baking soda to water and mix into wet ingredients.

Step 4:

Add egg and beat well.

Step 5:

Sift flour, baking powder and salt into a separate bowl.

Step 6:

Slowly add dry ingredients into the bowl with wet ingredients and stir gently until combined. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 7:

Bake in a greased loaf pan for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Step 8:

Let banana bread rest for 10 minutes before serving.