Ophelia's Banana Bread

One of my favorite quick breads is Banana Bread. I love when the bananas get really ripe, because I know I can make a batch of bread with them. This Banana Bread recipe is my absolute favorite recipe for two reasons. One because this recipe is really good and two it's really easy to make. I love this recipe because it utilizes a cake mix which simplifies the whole recipe.

I haven't found another e that I like better, so this is recipe I have been using for about 10 years, and I wont make it any other way. I got this recipe from a elderly patient at the Family Practice office that I worked at. This patient came in quite often, so I got to know her really well. Her name was Ophelia Stephens!

How could I forget her name because she was just the sweetest lady there ever was. She used to bring us girls that worked in the office a teddy bear figurine every time she came in for her appointment. There wasn't too many patients as friendly as Ophelia, so she stood out from everyone else.

One day she came in with smiles as always. I don't think I ever saw her in a bad mood. I said hello Mrs. Stephens and she said hello Darling. She came over to my counter and bent over and said I got a secret ya wanna know how to make the best banana bread ever? Well of course how could I not. I told Ophelia tell me because I love recipes.

She whispered in my ear Darling you will never find a recipe any easier than this. I said what is it??? she continued on and said take any yellow cake mix, add two eggs, oil, bananas and a bit of milk and girl you will have the best banana bread you ever put in your mouth. 

See ya later girls and off she went. Of course I didn't write it down and all that I remembered was her spouting off those ingredients. I ended up calling her at home and getting the exact measurements. I went home and the following week I made that Banana Bread recipe, and she was right it was the best Banana Bread I have ever put in my mouth.


I saw Ophelia again the following week and I told her you were right that's the best banana bread ever!!! She said see I told you.I hope y'all like this recipe as much as I do.  When this banana bread is all baked up you won't even be able to detect that a came mix was used. Anyone I gift this banana bread to always asks for the recipe, because it's that good. Thank you Ophelia!!!



Ophelia's Banana Bread

Ingredients:
3 - ripe bananas, mashed
1 - package yellow or butter cake mix
2 - eggs
1/3 - cup vegetable oil, canola or coconut oil
½ - cup milk or buttermilk
1/2 - teaspoon vanilla extract
½ - cup pecan or walnut pieces, optional

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Peel and mash bananas and set aside. In a large bowl combine the dry cake mix, eggs, oil and milk or buttermilk. 

Blend on low speed with a hand mixer or use the paddle attachment to your Kitchen aid mixer.  Add  mashed bananas and the vanilla extract; mix to combine. If using nuts fold the nuts into the batter.

Pour the batter into two 8 x 4 inch loaf pans or one large (2 qt or larger) loaf pan that has been sprayed with baking spray.

Bake for 35 - 40 minutes (depending on your oven and pan size) or until the bread is golden brown and springs back when touched.  Insert a toothpick if it comes out clean it's done. 

Remove from oven and let cool completely on a baking rack before serving. Wrap leftovers in plastic wrap.

Cook's Note: This banana bread is even better the second day and makes wonderful mini loaves for the holidays. 





29 comments

Stephanie said…
What a neat idea! That really does look easier than a regular banana bread. I had a roommate once that made corn bread out of a yellow cake mix and it was to die for! Yeah, cake mix is cool. :-)
Tina Butler said…
Hi Stephanie you cant even tell by the taste that a cake mix was used. It really does simplify the whole recipe. The bread is light and supermoist.
Stephanie said…
I've got an award for you on my blog. :-)
Tina, how creative. I never would have thought to use a cake mix to make the banana bread. You're right. It makes it much easier. Thanks for the great tip.
Live.Love.Eat said…
Oh how you slay me. You had me at cake mix. All of a sudden everywhere I go people are doing wonderful things with yellow cake mix and not just making cake. I LOVE it!!!!! The pumpkin crisp I posted today has it, the chess squares from a while back do too. Awesome!!!!!!
Laura said…
I am gonna have to try this. I always have brown bananas and being able to use a cake mix would make it so much easier to whip up a couple of loaves.
Tina Butler said…
Hi Teresa, the cake mix not only makes it a snap to prepare the bread is so moist.

Stephanie my favorite recipes are ones that use cake mixes. It makes everything so simple.

Hi Laura this is so easy and fast to throw together. I make it alot because we end up with so many brown bananas. + this bread freezes well. so you can never make to much.
Southern Plate said…
I
AM
SO
MAKING
THIS!!!!!

thank you!!!
Christy:)
~ Kimberlee B ~ said…
Ok...I am an extreme banana bread lover. I will try this in the next day or two and let ya know what i think. Thanks girlfriend!
Tina Butler said…
Ok Christy I am holding you to it. LMK how you like it.

Kimberly B, you wont be disapointed on this recipe i promise. Thanks for stopping by.
Anonymous said…
Hello! Love the site, been back many times! I made a double batch of this for my husbands bake sale at work for the Special Olympics and it came out so great. Not sure how it tastes, have plans to make some for me and the kids this weekend. I felt bad for lady that worked there cause my sold first :) Thanks for the wonderful idea and it was ever so EASY!
Thanks Again and Keep Smilin :)
Colleen
Anonymous said…
This bread looks great.
Would this be a good recipe for
a cake in a jar?
Nola
Tina Butler said…
Hi, yes I have used this recipe for cakes baked in a jar. It is so good.
Tiffany said…
I've got ripe bananas sitting on the counter and a yellow cake mix in the pantry. I'll have to try this one today!
I made this banana bread today and oh my goodness! I will be making it again and again!
Unknown said…
What size are your "small" loaf pans?
I have a loaf pan and don't know if its a large one or small one.

Thanks!
Unknown said…
Hi. I have this baking in the oven as I type. I put the entire batter in a 1.5 quart loaf pan and it over-floweth big time. Was I suppose to divide the batter in half for that size loaf pan? Sorry to be such a pain, just trying to learn :-)
Tina Butler said…
The small loaf pans i have are the disposable one i get at walmart. 3 for $1.59. I think if you are using the 1.5 qt size it would be best to use two pans. you can always bake this in a bundt cake pan. Fill the loaf pan with batter to only about half way. You will probably have batter left so I would use a second loaf pan. I t hink i will adjust the recipe regarding the pan size.
Amy in NY said…
I must say this recipe came to me from Tina years ago! its my favorite. Today, I made it with white cake mix bc thats all I had... it was just fine and it wound up turning yellow anyhow LOL... i usually add some mini chocolate chips into the batter. These are awesome to use as holiday gifts in the mini tins.
Tina Butler said…
Great to know a white cake mix will do the trick as well. I heart my NY friend Amy. ((Hugs)) Hey I got your message I will be returning you phone call soon i promise i am so busy right now its crazy.
Kristi said…
Okay, so first of all, I love, love, love your blog. I have tried a few receipes and I have a list of new one I want to try. I made this banana bread the other night but it didn't turn out quite right and I'm wondering why. First of all, I'm a horribly banana bread maker, it's always gooey inside and over done on the outside so I attempted your receipe. I made it in a bundt pan and it takes great but the batter was super, super thick, my single handheld beater couldn't do the job, and it came out really crumbly. Everyone loves it and the flavor but they must eat it over a plate or something cause it falls apart. I only had two bananas so that is all I used. Any other ideas why it came out so crumbly? I would love to make it again, I just want it to stay together. Thanks!
Cici said…
I made this yesterday in a bundt pan and OH MY GOODNESS! This is fantastic! My family gobbled it up and I had to make a 2nd one! This will be my go to recipe for Banana bread for sure! Thanks!
Unknown said…
You mention vanilla extract but not the amount(?)
Unknown said…
You mention vanilla extract but not the amount(?)
Unknown said…
You mention vanilla extract but not the amount(?)
Tina Butler said…
The amount of vanilla is listed in the recipe. It is 1/2 teaspoon.
Anonymous said…
Hi...wud love to mk the cake but if I dnt have the cake mix...do u have a recipe for a cake I cn make at home perhaps and just add the other ingredients?
Sherri said…
I make a banana cake that is really easy and light. So many banana breads are heavy. My cake recipe is : 1 yellow cake mix, 4-5 mashed overripe bananas, 2 eggs, chopped pecans, optional. Combine all ingredients. Place in 2 small sprayed loaf pans, or 1 large sprayed loaf pan. Bake in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes. Yum!
Unknown said…
Thank you for sharing! This was a really good recipe...my boys loved it...I add my own twist of a lil bit of cinnamon nutmeg all spice brown sugar ginger and baked in a bunt pan...oh and I used 4 small bananas.... this is a keeper ❤️