National Banana Bread Day

The addition of mashed, ripe bananas to a cake-like batter is what gives banana bread its distinctive taste and moistness. What could be a better opportunity to enjoy a slice with a cup of tea or coffee than on National Banana Bread Day?

History of National Banana Bread Day

Bananas made their way west from Asia by traveling with Arab conquerors as long ago as 300 BC, and they have been growing in popularity every since. As it turns out, the banana is the most popular fruit in the United Kingdom, even though they are usually grown in warmer climates such as Asia, Latin America and Africa. India is often named as the largest grower of bananas.

From the time bananas started to become accepted and commonplace in the west, it took a little while (several centuries, in fact) for this tasty fruit to be made into banana bread as people know it today. Banana bread was likely first developed and started to become popular back in the 1930’s, during the time of economic hardship in the United States known as the Great Depression.

Cultural historians suggest that resourceful and creative American housewives of the era started making the recipe as a way of not letting overripe bananas go to waste. As it turned out, the riper the bananas were, the sweeter they were, and the better the taste of the banana bread. So it ended up being a very clever and innovative creation!

The first printed recipe for this treat appeared in Pillsbury’s Balanced Recipes cookbook, which was published in 1933. Following that, the idea was popularized by Chiquita Banana’s Recipe Book which was released in 1950.

Banana bread is traditionally known as a “quick bread”, but is actually more like a cake in both texture and flavor. It does not contain any yeast, nor does it need to spend time in a rising process.

One contribution to the rise in popularity of banana bread, and quick breads in general, was the accessibility to baking soda and baking powder, which functioned as a rising agent. This makes banana bread a quick and easy solution for using up those old bananas–and making something delicious!

Extremely easy to make, banana bread is still a favorite way to quickly bake up a special treat for the family. Modern-day versions of this bread might also include the addition of chocolate chips, nuts, or even dried fruit. But however it is served, it’s a family favorite in many households across the United States and even all over the world.

How to Celebrate National Banana Bread Day

Getting involved with Banana Bread can be great fun whether baking it, eating it–or both! Try out these ideas for joining in on the celebration of National Banana Bread Day:

Eat Some Banana Bread

Whether making it at home or picking some up at a local bakery, the most important activity for this day is to enjoy eating a slice (or perhaps a whole loaf!) of banana bread. Not all bakeries carry banana bread all the time, so it might be necessary to pre-order a few loaves in advance. And don’t forget to tell that favorite bakery that the order is in honor of National Banana Bread Day! That way, they can be celebrating as well.

Share Banana Bread with Friends

Most celebrations are better when they are shared with others! Try baking up a loaf of banana bread (or banana bread muffins) and bringing them to the office to share with coworkers. Or go around the neighborhood and delight the neighbors by taking them a gift of banana bread, just because.

This is a fun day to be creative and think about ways to make the world a better place, simply by using something so basic as banana bread. It could even be a good excuse to gather some friends or family members and host an entire National Banana Bread Day Party, complete with a banana bread bakeoff. There’s no end to the fun that can be had in honor of this day!

Make a New Banana Bread Creation

Why not take this opportunity to experiment and come up with a tailor made banana bread recipe that everyone will love?! Try out some of these creative recipe ideas to get inspired:

• Banana Bread Donuts. Take banana bread to a whole other level when making the quick bread recipe into a cake-donut version that is then baked and glazed.
• Whole Wheat Cinnamon Crunch Banana Bread. Make it healthy and delicious by using healthy, whole wheat flour paired with a deliciously crunchy cinnamon topping.
• One Bowl Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls. It’s hard to imagine a way to make cinnamon rolls taste better–but this is it! By adding banana puree to cinnamon roll dough, and then filling the rolls with banana slices and walnuts (optional) the marrying of these two recipes is to die for. And it can easily be made vegan!
• Coconut Chocolate Chip Banana Bread. Bananas create a great background for hosting all sorts of other delightful flavors. This one offers an island feel with the addition of shredded coconut and chocolate chips.