Nana's Banana Bread

Ingredients

• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for the pan
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for the pan
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 bananas, very ripe
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup buttermilk

Directions

1. 1

   1. Heat the oven to 350°. Grease the bottom and sides of a 9-by-3-inch loaf pan with butter, then dust with flour.

2. 2

   2. In a bowl, sft together the 1¾ cups flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, mash the bananas with the lemon juice.

3. 3

   3. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the 1 stick of butter with the sugar and vanilla. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Add a third of the dry ingredients and half of the buttermilk; mix. Repeat until all of the dry ingredients and buttermilk are incorporated, then beat in the banana mixture.

4. 4

   4. Pour the mixture into the loaf pan and bake in the middle of the oven for 60 to 70 minutes, until the top of the bread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack and let it cool completely.