Baking on a Rainy Day: Banana Bread & Quiet Moments

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A rainy day…

There’s something about a rainy day that slows everything down. The rhythm of raindrops on the roof, the gray light drifting through the windows, and the gentle hush that settles over the house—it's the perfect backdrop for baking something warm and comforting.

This afternoon, as the rain came steady and soft, I found myself reaching for overripe bananas and a mixing bowl. There's no better time to fill the kitchen with the smell of banana bread. It’s simple, familiar, and exactly the kind of small joy that rainy days call for.

The Comfort of the Oven

When the weather keeps us indoors, baking becomes more than just preparing food—it becomes a ritual. Measuring flour, creaming butter and sugar, folding in mashed bananas… it all feels a little more meaningful when there’s no rush. There’s a calmness in the act, and a reward at the end that’s best enjoyed with a cup of tea and a few quiet minutes to yourself.

My Rainy Day Banana Bread Recipe

This is the recipe I always turn to. It’s simple, reliable, and fills the house with the kind of smell that makes it feel like everything’s going to be just fine.

Whisked dry ingredients

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ cup butter, softened

• 1 cup sugar

• 2 eggs

• 1½ tsp vanilla extract

• ½ cup milk + 1½ tsp lemon juice or vinegar (or use buttermilk)

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed

• Optional: chopped walnuts

Wet ingredients ready to combine with dry ingredients

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a standard loaf pan.

2. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.

4. Add the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.

5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until mostly combined.

6. Stir in the milk mixture (or buttermilk), followed by the mashed bananas.

7. Fold in walnuts if desired.

8. Pour the thick batter into the prepared loaf pan.

9. Bake for 55–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

10. Let cool for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

I love walnuts in my banana bread!

Serve it warm, with a generous pat of butter and a hot cup of tea or coffee. It's the kind of treat that turns a gloomy day into a cozy one.

Finding Joy in Small Things

There are days when we chase productivity and others when we find peace in the pause. Baking banana bread on a rainy day isn’t flashy or fancy—but it reminds us to slow down, savor simple comforts, and be present in the moment.

So the next time the rain rolls in, take a breath, grab a bowl, and let your kitchen be your sanctuary.

Enjoying a treat!

Stay rooted,

Roxanne