I could eat a few things for days on days. Galaxy bars. Peanut butter rolo blizzards. Mangos. Baked brie. Oh and banana bread.

Yes, put me on a deserted island with a life time supply of banana bread and I'd be one happy girl. I've been searching for a great classic banana bread recipe for awhile. Classic to me means no nuts, no extra spices and no chocolate...just bananas in this banana bread. Now don't get me wrong, I like nuts and spices and chocolate in my banana bread. I just didn't want them in this banana bread.

Now this banana bread takes a wee bit longer than a normal banana bread. Ripe bananas are heated up then strained to extract juices. Banana juices are reduced over heat. Banana is sliced then placed along the top of the bread. Sugar is sprinkled on top. This banana bread is a labour of love. You should make it for someone you love....or someone you don't love because they need love too :)

| CLASSIC BANANA BREAD |

Ingredients needed:

1 3/4 cups of flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

6 large ripe bananas

1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted then cooled a bit)

2 large eggs

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tsp sugar

Directions:

1. Pre-heat over to 350 degrees. Grease a loaf pan with a bit of butter (be sure to get the sides!)

2. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Give it a little stir then set aside.

3. Place 5 bananas in a microwave safe bowl, cover in saran wrap and then make a few slices in the plastic to allow steam to vent out. Microwave on high for about five minutes (until bananas have released their juices).

4. Place bananas in a mesh strainer over a bowl and stir until juices have been strained into the bowl (about 10 minutes). Place bananas in a bowl and transfer liquid to a pan over medium-high heat and cook until juices have been reduced to 1/4 cup (about five minutes). Then remove pan from heat. Add reduced banana juice to the bowl of bananas and mash together. Add brown sugar, vanilla, eggs, melted butter and give it a good whisk.

5. Slowly add in dry ingredients to the banana mixture. Fold with a spatula until combined. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.

6. Slice the sixth banana and then place along edges of the batter. Sprinkle with sugar and then cook for about 60 minutes (until toothpick comes out clear, you know the drill!) Once out of the oven, let it sit for 15 minutes in the pan.

7. ENJOY!!!

Recipe slightly adapted from annie's eats (originally from cook's illustrated)