Ultimate Banana Bread

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 2: Spray a loaf pan (8 1/2 x 4 1/2) with non-stick spray.

Step 3: In a large bowl whisk the dry ingredients (flour - salt) together.

Step 4: Place 5 bananas in a separate bowl, cover, and microwave until bananas are soft and have released liquid (5 minutes). Transfer bananas to a fine-mesh strainer over a medium bowl and allow to drain, stirring occasionally (15 minutes) - you should get about 1/2 cup - 3/4 cup liquid.

Step 5: Transfer the liquid to a saucepan and cook over medium high heat until reduce to 1/4 cup (5 minutes). Stir the microwaved bananas in the reduced liquid and mash with a potato masher until mostly smooth. Whisk in the butter, eggs, brown sugar and vanilla.

Step 6: Stir banana mixture into the dry mixture. Fold in walnuts, if using. Scrap batter into prepared loaf pan. Slice remaining banana diagonally into 1/4 inch slices. Shingle banana slices on top of loaf in 2 rows, leaving 1 1/2 inch wide space down center. Sprinkle with the granulated sugar evenly over the loaf.

Step 7: Bake for 55-75 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let loaf cool in pan for 10 minutes and then turn out on a cooling rack and let finish cooling for at least one hour.