Description
Delight in this charming Banana Bread in a Jar recipe, perfect for portion-controlled treats or gifting. Moist and flavorful banana bread infused with warm spices and crunchy pecans is baked directly in jars, creating a unique presentation and preserving freshness with a night-before airtight seal.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- â…” cup shortening
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups over-ripe bananas, mashed
- â…” cup water
Dry Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
Additional
- â…” cup pecans, chopped
- Non-stick cooking spray (for greasing jars)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 325°F to ensure it’s properly heated before baking the banana bread in jars.
- Prepare Jars: Place clean jars on a large baking sheet and lightly grease each with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking during baking.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together shortening and sugar until the texture is light and fluffy. Then, beat in eggs, mashed bananas, and water until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves in a separate medium bowl to evenly distribute the leavening and spices.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet banana mixture one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition to create a uniform batter. Finally, gently fold in the chopped pecans.
- Fill the Jars: Using a small measuring cup, carefully scoop the batter into each greased jar, filling about halfway to allow room for rising. Wipe any batter from the jar rims to ensure a clean seal later.
- Bake the Bread: Place the baking sheet with jars in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean when ready.
- Sterilize Lids and Rings: While baking, sterilize the jar lids and screw rings by submerging them in boiling water for several minutes. Let them cool to room temperature before use.
- Seal the Jars: Remove the jars from the oven and immediately place the sterilized lids and screw on the rings tightly. Press down gently if the bread has risen above the jar tops. The jars will vacuum seal as the bread cools.
- Cool and Store: Allow the banana bread jars to cool to room temperature. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to a week. Enjoy the bread warm or chilled.
Notes
- Ensure jars are properly sterilized before use to avoid contamination and ensure a good seal.
- Use over-ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and moisture in the bread.
- Filling jars halfway allows the bread to rise without overflow during baking.
- Cool jars completely before serving or storing to maintain texture and flavor.
- These banana bread jars make excellent gifts when sealed properly.
- Adjust spices to taste if you prefer more or less cinnamon or cloves.
