Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Banana Nut Bread Recipe

Banana Nut Bread, fresh from the oven
I especially like the loaf pan on the right.

So what does one do with bananas that are black on the outside and look like they should be thrown out? Well, if they're not terribly soft and squishy and leaking (ew), then one makes banana nut bread, of course! (Very ripe bananas make a much tastier banana nut bread. Don't bother to use ones that are yellow and without spots, for the bread will be pretty tasteless.) My husband even promised to eat it, which surprised me, for he much prefers salty snacks to sweet ones.

I decided to use the ancient, large and heavy loaf pans that we inherited from Kevin's Grandpa Roy. I'm so glad I didn't throw those out. If I remember correctly, Grandpa kept nails and odds'n'ends in them in his garage. But they remind me of Grandpa Roy, whom I dearly loved, so I'm much fonder of the pans than Grandpa would have been. 

 Grandpa Roy and our firstborn, many years ago

He's the one who taught me to bake bread and with whom I had many discussions at the kitchen table while the barrel of his .22 was threaded through a hole in the window frame so he could shoot pesky red squirrels that were bothering his bird feeders. It wasn't considered sport; it was a matter of defending personal property.


Nice, crusty banana bread, cooling
(This is truer to color)


Banana Nut Bread Recipe:

2 1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 c. sugar
3 1/2 t. baking powder
1 t. salt
3 T. vegetable oil
3/4 c. milk
2-3 ripe bananas, mashed
1 egg
1 c. finely chopt nuts (I used probably 1 1/2 c. walnuts)
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 9x5x3 inch loaf pan or two 8.5x4.5x2.5 loaf pans. Measure all ingredients into large mixer bowl. Beat on medium speed 1/2 minute, scraping side and bottom of bowl constantly.

Pour into pans. Bake 55-65 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pan; cool thoroughly before slicing. (That is total nonsense. Get butter on it as quickly as possible while it is still hot. Delicious!!!)





Photobucket
Author, Second Chance - A Tale of Two Puppies

19 comments:

Empty Nester said...

Oh just look at those blond curls! How cute!

Grandpa Roy and I would have gotten along just fine shooting at those darn squirrels...only I use a BB gun. LOL

Heide at ApronHistory said...

Delicious! That is the only way to eat bannanas. You need a little cinnamon in there too.

Anonymous said...

Mmm, I love it when my bananas don't get eaten in time and I completely agree with the absolute nonsensical idea of expecting the bread to cool before digging in :)

...partialemptynester ;)

Ma What's 4 dinner said...

That my friend is exactly what I do with blackening bananas! Great minds! Yours looks way lighter and fluffier than mine. I'll have to give your recipe a try...

Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner
www.mawhats4dinner.com

Debra Hawkins said...

Oh dear, we continue our fight. Nuts in your bread? Actually, I don't mind nuts all that much. I am a peanut addict, but my 2-year-old is deathly allergic to peanuts so I don't really keep nuts of any kind in the house. We use almond butter but that is about it. I am always nervous that a stray peanut made it into a bag of nuts.

Unknown said...

YUMMMM! Now I have to wait for my bananas to ripen up!

Stephanie said...

Looks good! Can't wait til I have my kitchen all finished so I have an oven again :)

Judy S. said...

Is that recipe from the BC cookbook? Mine is somewhere in all these boxes...... Just noticed your pond photo again; it looks SO inviting!

Michelle said...

I do this too! It's my daughters favorite. Mmmm those loafs look good. Enjoy!

Candace said...

That is the perfect use for black bananas! Your loaves look beautiful and I'm sure they tasted even better. I love it that you have the pans to remind you of someone special. It makes baking in them even nicer, doesn't it? Have a great Wednesday, Candace

Unknown said...

Great memories about grandpa! He reminds me of my great grandpa Bob! :)
I love banana nut bread...a slice would be so good right now.... and I can even smell them baking!! YUM!

Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet said...

There is nothing like some warm banana bread with cream cheese or butter. YUM!

Caution/Lisa said...

Just this morning I looked at the four black bananas on the counter and thought about baking. Then I stopped by McDonalds instead : ( Maybe those bananas will still be useful tomorrow!

Anonymous said...

that looks absolutely delicious.. don't care what colour the banana is - just love them :)) Judyx

Chaya said...

This bread looks easy to make and yummy to eat. You can't beat that combination.

Would you like to link this up to Let's Do Brunch? It is perfect for a brunch.

Rachel said...

The bread looks great! And what special memories!! He would be so proud of your baking!

:)
Rach

Carla from The River said...

I like the story about the .22! My grandpa was my best friend! He taught me to garden and mow lawn. :-)

Tiffanee said...

I love banana bread. This looks delicious!! Love the 22 story!! Made me laugh!!

karen said...

I am looking forward to trying this recipe and can`t wait to try it when I get back home from marathon running and cycling!
By the way as you probably know bananas and nuts are good foods for active people!
xxx

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