BANANA BREAD IN A JAR

Banana bread made in a jar. Wuh??? Pretty darn crazy, huh? Why would anyone want to make banana bread in a mason jar?

Well, for a couple of reasons: I love making these beauties as gifts. I can make a bunch at a time and send them over to neighbors as a nice gesture, pass them out as party favors, give them as gifts at Christmas, as teacher gifts, or store in my pantry.

If sealed properly, they can keep for a few months in the freezer! Think food storage people!
You can decorate the jars with a circle of batting and fun fabric under the jar ring and add a pretty label. So darn cute!

BANANA BREAD IN A JAR RECIPE



INGREDIENTS

• 2/3 cup shortening
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups mashed bananas (approx. 4 medium-sized bananas)
• 2/3 cup water
• 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2/3 cup pecans, crushed
• 12 half pint (8 ounce jars) mason jars

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Prepare the mason jars by greasing the insides of the jars with cooking spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the shortening and sugar with an electric mixer until well incorporated. Beat in the eggs, bananas, and water until light and fluffy.
3. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and cloves and pour into the banana mixture a little at a time mixing well with each addition. Fold in pecans.
4. Spoon batter into mason jars filling 1/2 way full. Wipe off any spills on the jars before baking. Do not add the lids. Tip: You can also pour the batter in a gallon-size bag with a hole cut in the corner and pipe the batter into the jars.
5. Line the jars on a baking sheet and bake for 40-45 minutes of until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Note: You can also line the jars up in the oven without the baking sheet. Some people have mentioned they cook more evenly that way. You might want to experiment. I’ve never had a problem.) Meanwhile, sterilize the lids and rings in boiling water.
6. Remove the jars from the oven and screw on the lids and rings to the jars while the bread is cooling. The jars will seal as the bread cools down. You will hear a light “ping” when the jar seals itself. If you don’t, press down on the lid to see if it is firm. If it doesn’t “give”, it is sealed. Also, if the bread bakes above the rim of the jar, no worries. Just gently press the top of the bread down with the lid and seal.
7. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week or eat when cooled! Can also be stored in the freezer for a few months.

Note: You can forgo making this bread in the jars and bake it in two 9 x 5-inch bread pans for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean.
Recipe Adapted  : BANANA BREAD IN A JAR @ thisgrandmaisfun

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