Sick of the same old banana bread? Banana yeast bread offers a spongy twist on the familiar cakey crumb.
Instructions
1
Cook the sugar, butter and milk
2
In a large saucepan, cook and stir the milk, butter and sugar over medium heat until the butter is melted. Take the saucepan off the heat and allow the mixture to cool at room temperature to between 120° and 130°F.
3
Create the dough
4
In a large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, yeast, salt, two eggs, bananas and the milk mixture. Beat everything together on low speed until combined. Turn the speed up to medium and continue beating for three minutes. Gradually stir in enough of the remaining flour to form a firm dough. You may not use all the flour. Editor’s Tip: It’s easier to make the dough in a stand mixer, but you can do it by hand with a little elbow grease.
5
Knead and let rise
6
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead the dough until it’s smooth and elastic, about four to six minutes. Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover the bowl with a clean tea towel and let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size, about 45 minutes. Editor’s Tip: After kneading, test to see if the bread dough is kneaded enough by poking it gently with two fingers. If the indentation stays, keep kneading. If it springs back, you’re good to let it rest and rise.
7
Divide and rise again
8
Using a sharp chef’s knife or bench scraper, divide the dough in half. Shape each half into a round loaf. Place the loaves on a greased baking sheet, then cover them with a clean tea towel and let them rise until they have doubled in size, about 45 minutes. During the last 10 minutes, preheat the oven to 375°.
9
Using a sharp knife or lame, cut slits in the tops of the loaves. In a small bowl, beat the remaining egg with the water, then brush the egg wash over the loaves. Bake the bread loaves until they’re golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Editor’s Tip: If the loaves are browning too quickly, tent aluminum foil over them.
