Banana Bread with Walnuts and Raisins

After taking a break from baking for awhile, I made a variation of America's Test Kitchen Ultimate Banana Bread - skipping the sliced bananas on top and added some raisins soaked in rum. I made this banana bread earlier this year and I really enjoyed the strong banana taste and moist texture.


Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon table salt
5 large very ripe bananas, peeled
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
2 large eggs
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped
1 cup raisins soaked in a couple tablespoons of rum for 30 minutes, drained after
2 teaspoons granulated sugar

Directions:

• Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees.
  
• Spray 8 1⁄2 by 4 1⁄2-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  
• Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together in large bowl.
• Place the bananas in microwave-safe bowl; cover with plastic wrap and cut several steam vents in plastic with paring knife. Microwave on high power until bananas are soft and have released liquid, about 5 minutes. Transfer bananas to fine-mesh strainer placed over medium bowl and allow to drain, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes (you should have 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 cup liquid).
• Transfer liquid to medium saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until reduced to 1⁄4 cup, about 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat, stir reduced liquid into bananas, and mash with potato masher until fairly smooth.
  
• Whisk in butter, eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla. Pour banana mixture into flour mixture and stir until just combined with some streaks of flour remaining. Gently fold in walnuts and raisins, if using. Scrape batter into prepared pan and sprinkle granulated sugar evenly over loaf.
• Bake until toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean, about 75 minutes.
  
• Cool bread in pan on wire rack 15 minutes, then remove loaf from pan and continue to cool on wire rack.
  
• Serve warm or at room temperature.