My bread came out raw on top!

[ChaiLatte]

Hi Everyone, I'm new here and would love your help!

I've made both banana and apple bread recently, baked at 350 for an hour. The bread appears done, thought I had even over-baked the last loaf because it was quite brown. I also do the toothpick test. Underneath the crust, on the top, in the middle of the loaf- it was raw!!

I love to give loaves of bread to friends and neighbors and would be mortified if this happened to a loaf I gave away!

Thanks for your time!
ChaiLatte

[nowIamone]

Do you have an oven thermometer? If not buy one.

Check the oven temp for accuracy, and so we can tell if the thermostat is working correctly.

Then we can start troubleshooting.

[Frayedknot]

I would have to agree that the first step might be to check the oven. What about the rest of the loaf... was it cooked... what did the bottom and sides look like?

[ChaiLatte]

Don't currently have a thermometer, but can get one.
We are staying at a friend's house while ours is being renovated, so this isn't my oven, but I've done lasagna and a few other easy dishes in it without any problems- that's why the bread being raw puzzled me. The rest of the loaf was perfect; golden brown and completely cooked through. I'll get a thermometer to see what's happening with the temp and go from there. Thank you for your replies!

[jessiquina]

oh my gosh, i have to tell you:
my neighbor likes to give away breads too! she usually makes them in a bread machine... but one time she made Stollen. it was completely raw in the middle. when she handed it to me, it weighed like 10lbs! it was still proofing when we cut into it. i felt so bad. i'd be so embarrassed if it were me... so i told her that it had great flavor!

anyways, maybe your oven rack is too close to the bottom. and try baking it at 325* so it bakes a lil slower.