Sour cream banana bread is probably my favorite, but the one I usually end up making (because I don't always have sour cream) is this old Betty Crocker Cookbook recipe from 1972. Betty Crocker makes a good benchmark banana bread.
Betty Crocker Cookbook 1972 Banana Bread
Recently, I found a new Betty Crocker banana bread that came highly recommended. Okay, so it's not so new. It's from 1972, and it's recognizable in that it only calls for 3 tablespoons of "salad oil". Or at least that's what makes it recognizable to me, since a) nobody calls it "salad oil" anymore and b) so many modern banana breads are richer and more like cake.
Crumbly and Less Rich
Betty Crocker Cookbook Banana Bread (aka 1972 Banana Bread) rises up nicely and is slightly crumblier than the others. It's perfect for adding toasted walnuts or pecans, and is light enough to where you might want to add a small pat of butter. All in all, I'd say it's less like banana cake than a lot of other recipes. I probably wouldn't recommend it to someone who'd never made banana bread, but for those who like less sweet, less rich loaves, this is a good one.
Something Different
I know you came here looking for this good old banana bread, but if you're doing some more fall baking I want to tell you about another easy recipe that's buried my my archives. These melted shortening ginger cookies are so good. The recipe doesn't look very exciting on paper, but the shortening really does its magic for texture.
Recipe
Betty Crocker Cookbook Banana Bread 1972
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (336 grams)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (195 grams)
- 3 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons salad oil (that means, canola, corn, sunflower, but you could also try coconut)
- ¾ cup milk, whole milk
- 1 large or extra-large egg
- A cup finely chopped nuts
- 1 cup mashed very ripe bananas
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan or two smaller ones.
- Put all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and beat on medium speed, scraping side and bottom of bowl often, until well blended. Pour into the pan (or pans).
- Bake the large loaf for 55 to 65 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. For smaller loaves, start checking at 45 minutes.
- Let cool in the pan for about 30 minutes, then carefully remove from pan. Let the bread cool before slicing.
Anna says
Susan, that is wonderful! And thank you for leaving a comment about this special banana bread from our friend, Betty.
Susan Shipley says
I've made this bread for years now. my kids, my grandchildren and now my great-grandchildren all love it
Lily Scott says
I’ve been using this recipe for years. I’ve had this recipe books since I got married, in 1980.
Love it ! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Anna says
Nancy, I'm sure your families loved that. And thanks so much for the comment. This is a recipe that deserves a new photo, so it looks like I need to buy some bananas.
Nancy S. says
we love Banan Bread..but always put mini chocolate chips in it for my husband....I would make extra loaves to send home with my Daycare Families.. only use the B.C. recipe
Anna says
I hope it turns up. If not, you can probably order a new one from a vintage book source.
Murlee Miller says
Happy I found this 1972 recipe. Can’t locate my cookbook I’ve had since 1969.
Joanne hallick says
Love making this bread. Comes out great every time and is so delicious!
Anna says
I love that memory! Time to make some BC Banana Bread.
Linda Blair says
I received the Betty Crocker, 3 ring binder type, cookbook as a wedding gift in 1981. I have moved several times and it is the only cookbook I have brought with me each time. I am making the banana bread recipe on page 203 that I have been making for over 40 years. It is in the oven now. Love my Betty Crocker cookbook!
Tracie Schneider says
I have made this Banana Nut Recipe for 50 yrs! It’s the best old recipe ever! I’ve tried others but they weren’t the same!!
Jackie says
We’ve been married over 40 years; and my husband had this Betty Crocker cookbook prior to our marriage. We love this version of her banana nut tea bread. It’s an all time favorite!
Donna says
always my go to recipe for banana bread
Good old fashioned banana bread. Not all those additions. 1 thing I’m gonna try is substitute melted butter for the oil. Yummy. Always a favorite Lots of great recipes I use in this edition of her cookbook
Anna says
Thanks for the review! Did you use the full amount of salt? Were the bananas ripe? I agree 100% that this is the kind of banana bread that's perfect with butter or jam. It's definitley not the rich, dense, banana bread like the Starbuck's clone or one with more bananas and fat. But it's good for people who like a sweet bread, preferably with nuts (They add flavor too) and a more subtle banana flavor.
Ckg says
The round loaves are beautifully round and golden brown, but I was quite surprised at the bready, white bread texture, instead of a more rich, moist, sweet banana flavor. Good, but basically a white bread without a lot of flavor. Must add butter and jam…….
Anna says
Thank you!
Mary Ann Morse says
The banana bread recipe from the earlier Betty Crocker cookbook (1965) is more like a bread, light and a little crumbly, unlike the Betty Crocker cookbook banana bread recipe from the 14th edition. This 14th edition recipe is more like a banana pastry.
Christine Magana says
Delicious moist bread. I have been using this recipe for years.