Ophelia's Banana Bread

One of my favorite quick breads is Banana Bread. I love when the bananas get really ripe, because I know I can make a batch of bread with them. This Banana Bread recipe is my absolute favorite recipe for two reasons. One because this recipe is really good and two it's really easy to make. I love this recipe because it utilizes a cake mix which simplifies the whole recipe.

I haven't found another e that I like better, so this is recipe I have been using for about 10 years, and I wont make it any other way. I got this recipe from a elderly patient at the Family Practice office that I worked at. This patient came in quite often, so I got to know her really well. Her name was Ophelia Stephens!

How could I forget her name because she was just the sweetest lady there ever was. She used to bring us girls that worked in the office a teddy bear figurine every time she came in for her appointment. There wasn't too many patients as friendly as Ophelia, so she stood out from everyone else.

One day she came in with smiles as always. I don't think I ever saw her in a bad mood. I said hello Mrs. Stephens and she said hello Darling. She came over to my counter and bent over and said I got a secret ya wanna know how to make the best banana bread ever? Well of course how could I not. I told Ophelia tell me because I love recipes.

She whispered in my ear Darling you will never find a recipe any easier than this. I said what is it??? she continued on and said take any yellow cake mix, add two eggs, oil, bananas and a bit of milk and girl you will have the best banana bread you ever put in your mouth. 

See ya later girls and off she went. Of course I didn't write it down and all that I remembered was her spouting off those ingredients. I ended up calling her at home and getting the exact measurements. I went home and the following week I made that Banana Bread recipe, and she was right it was the best Banana Bread I have ever put in my mouth.

I saw Ophelia again the following week and I told her you were right that's the best banana bread ever!!! She said see I told you.I hope y'all like this recipe as much as I do.  When this banana bread is all baked up you won't even be able to detect that a came mix was used. Anyone I gift this banana bread to always asks for the recipe, because it's that good. Thank you Ophelia!!!

Ophelia's Banana Bread

Ingredients:
3 - ripe bananas, mashed
1 - package yellow or butter cake mix
2 - eggs
1/3 - cup vegetable oil, canola or coconut oil
½ - cup milk or buttermilk
1/2 - teaspoon vanilla extract
½ - cup pecan or walnut pieces, optional

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Peel and mash bananas and set aside. In a large bowl combine the dry cake mix, eggs, oil and milk or buttermilk. 

Blend on low speed with a hand mixer or use the paddle attachment to your Kitchen aid mixer.  Add  mashed bananas and the vanilla extract; mix to combine. If using nuts fold the nuts into the batter.

Pour the batter into two 8 x 4 inch loaf pans or one large (2 qt or larger) loaf pan that has been sprayed with baking spray.

Bake for 35 - 40 minutes (depending on your oven and pan size) or until the bread is golden brown and springs back when touched.  Insert a toothpick if it comes out clean it's done. 

Remove from oven and let cool completely on a baking rack before serving. Wrap leftovers in plastic wrap.

Cook's Note: This banana bread is even better the second day and makes wonderful mini loaves for the holidays.