Classic Ouma's Banana Bread
A nostalgic, moist tea-time loaf that uses very overripe bananas for maximum sweetness.
Origin & History
In South Africa, banana bread is a staple at teatime and is almost always served with a thick layer of salted butter.
Ingredients
- 125g softened butter
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 4 very ripe mashed bananas
- 2 cups cake flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 0.5 tsp salt
Method
- 1
Preheat oven to 180C and grease a standard loaf tin.
- 2
Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- 3
Beat in the eggs one at a time until well combined.
- 4
Stir in the mashed bananas.
- 5
Sift in the flour, baking powder, and salt, then fold gently into the mixture.
- 6
Pour into the tin and bake for 45-60 minutes until a skewer comes out clean.
Top Tips
- Use bananas with black spots for the best flavor|Do not overmix the batter to keep it light|Serve warm with salted butter|Freeze individual slices for quick snacks.
Serve with
Traditionally paired with other South African classics:
Community Kitchen
Every South African family has their own version of this recipe — small tweaks passed down through generations. Do you make yours differently? Share your family variation with the community.
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