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Southern Living Banana Bread

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Southern Living Banana Bread delivers ultra-moist, tender loaves with authentic banana flavor using simple pantry staples. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert – foolproof results every time.

Ingredients

Scale

4 large eggs, room temperature

1 (15.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix (no pudding added)

1 (3.4-ounce) package instant banana pudding mix

1 cup water

1/4 cup vegetable oil

3 very ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, toasted (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9×5-inch loaf pans or line with parchment.

2. Whisk eggs, water, and vegetable oil in large bowl until smooth and frothy (1 minute).

3. Add banana pudding mix; stir until dissolved and thickened.

4. Gradually mix in yellow cake mix until smooth, no lumps.

5. Gently fold in mashed bananas with spatula.

6. Stir in chopped nuts, reserving some for topping.

7. Divide batter evenly between pans; smooth tops.

8. Bake 45-55 minutes until golden and toothpick comes out clean or with moist crumbs.

9. Cool in pans 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Select bananas with lots of brown spots for maximum sweetness and moisture.

Toast nuts at 350°F for 5 minutes to enhance flavor.

Don’t overmix after adding bananas to keep texture tender.

Check doneness at 40 minutes – ovens vary.

Store wrapped at room temp (3 days), fridge (1 week), or freeze (3 months).

Muffin variation: 18-22 minutes in lined tins.

Swap nuts for chocolate chips or omit for nut-free.

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