The rise of home baking often comes of necessity as has been the case for both the Great Depression and the recent COVID lockdown and you are wondering what on earth that might have to do with banana bread, that sweet American treat. During the Depression, it was important to stretch every possible dollar as far as it could possibly go including minimizing food waste which saw the rise of recipes like banana bread, peanut butter and banana sandwiches, potato soup, dandelion salad, beans and rice and wacky cake which used vinegar and baking soda as leavening agents as both dairy and eggs were often in short supply.
Following the Depression and with banana bread firmly ensconced in the repertoire of the home cook or baker, the Chiquita banana company – originally the United Fruit Company – released a marketing campaign in the early 1950s, including a cookbook "Let's Cook With Bananas" prominently featuring – you guessed it – bananas and a standardized banana bread recipe. Included in the original edition distributed through in-store displays, direct mail, within the educational system, advertising and other marketing channels were recipes including banana bread, banana muffins, banana smoothies, banana cream pies, banana meringue pies, banana pudding, banana ice cream and others.
That's just bananas!
In recent history, the COVID lockdown realized a resurgence in home cooking and baking, popularizing a rise in sourdough bread and – you guessed it – banana bread – with modern variations including gluten-free, vegan and other dietary variants.
Always popular at home, a preponderance of restaurants have their own version of a banana bread recipe including the addition of nuts, chocolate chips and the addition of spicy alternatives.
Cook: 1 Hr
Serves: 1 Loaf
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