Banana Bread

Okay, so I've made my fair share of banana breads in the past. They have been good, but I always felt that they weren't great. Something just isn't right, but now I know! I saw this recipe on America's Test Kitchen, and had to try it. This is THE best banana bread I've ever had. Period. It was far better the same day it was made. Make this, and eat it. It is great!  If you are using frozen bananas, thaw them and skip steps 3 and 8.

Ingredients

1 3/4 c. (8 3/4 oz) flour

1 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

6 large very ripe bananas (about 2 1/4 pounds), peeled

1/2 c. butter, melted and cooled slightly

2 eggs

3/4 c. (5 1/4 oz) packed light brown sugar

1 t. vanilla

1/2 c. walnuts , toasted and coarsely chopped (optional)

2 t. sugar

Directions

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 8½ by 4½-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together in large bowl.
3. Place 5 bananas in microwave-safe bowl; cover with plastic wrap and cut several steam vents in plastic with paring knife. Microwave on high power until bananas are soft and have released liquid, about 5 minutes.
4. Transfer bananas to fine-mesh strainer placed over medium bowl and allow to drain, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes (you should have ½ to ¾ cup liquid).
5. Transfer liquid to medium saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until reduced to ¼ cup, about 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat, stir reduced liquid into bananas, and mash with potato masher until fairly smooth.
6. Whisk butter, eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla into bananas.
7. Pour banana mixture into flour mixture and stir until just combined with some streaks of flour remaining. Gently fold in walnuts, if using. Scrape batter into prepared pan.
8. Slice remaining banana diagonally into ¼-inch-thick slices. Shingle banana slices on top of either side of loaf, leaving 1½-inch-wide space down center to ensure even rise.
9. Sprinkle granulated sugar evenly over loaf.
10. Bake until toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean, 50 to 75 minutes. Cool bread in pan on wire rack 15 minutes, then remove loaf from pan and continue to cool on wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.