On Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:34:35 -0800 (PST), Nancy2 wrote:

> On Nov 18, 6:41*am, Wayne Boatwright >
> wrote:
>> I really hate it when recipes for banana cake or banana bread specify the
>> number of bananas rather than giving a cup or weight measurement. *Even
>> specifying "large" or "medium" bananas is not too meaningful since size
>> varies considerably. *Baking recipes are highly dependent on exact quantities
>> of major ingredients for success. *Two little banana results in a dry cake or
>> bread, just as too much banana results in a cake or bread that falls. *Recipe
>> authors ought to get their bananas together. :-)
>>
>> * * * * * * * * * * *Wayne Boatwright
>
> Nobody wants to measure mashed bananas in a measuring cup. I don't
> have any problem with my banana/sour cream bars or banana bread
> recipes. If they're small, I use 3; if they're giant, I use 1 1/2.
> (Recipe calls for 2 medium.) How hard is that??
>
> N.

but giving a volume measurement doesn't mean you *have* to measure it in a
cup. i'd rather know whether i'm trying to eyeball two cups or three.

your pal,
blake

"blake murphy" > wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:34:35 -0800 (PST), Nancy2 wrote:
>
>> On Nov 18, 6:41 am, Wayne Boatwright >
>> wrote:
>>> I really hate it when recipes for banana cake or banana bread specify
>>> the
>>> number of bananas rather than giving a cup or weight measurement. Even
>>> specifying "large" or "medium" bananas is not too meaningful since size
>>> varies considerably. Baking recipes are highly dependent on exact
>>> quantities
>>> of major ingredients for success. Two little banana results in a dry
>>> cake or
>>> bread, just as too much banana results in a cake or bread that falls.
>>> Recipe
>>> authors ought to get their bananas together. :-)
>>>
>>> Wayne Boatwright
>>
>> Nobody wants to measure mashed bananas in a measuring cup. I don't
>> have any problem with my banana/sour cream bars or banana bread
>> recipes. If they're small, I use 3; if they're giant, I use 1 1/2.
>> (Recipe calls for 2 medium.) How hard is that??
>>
>> N.
>
> but giving a volume measurement doesn't mean you *have* to measure it in a
> cup. i'd rather know whether i'm trying to eyeball two cups or three.
>
Eyeballing bananas. Okay, sure, I'm immature, at this age I'm hoping it
keeps me young.

l, not -l wrote:

>
> If I were disposed to measuring bananas, I'd use the displacement method.
> For example, to measure a cup of banana, I'd put one cup of water in a
> two-cup or larger measuring cup; then, add banana until the water reaches
> the two cup level. Pour off the water and you have a cup of banana.

I tried that once with Crisco from a can. What a mess. It was easier and
less mess to spoon it into a cup, scrape it out.