Monday, August 16, 2010

Mmm...Monday... Going Bananas? Make Some Bread!

I'm sure most of you out there have purchased a large amount of bananas at one time or another, only to have them turn into these:
Blech! I don't know about you, but I like my bananas a little on the green side. The idea of these mushing around in my mouth makes me wanna *gag*! Normally, my kids would have eaten these long before this would have happened, but for whatever reason, they didn't and these are what I found in my fruit tray this morning.

Now usually, I try to avoid baking this time of year. August in AZ is not pleasant with temps ranging close to 115 degrees and muggy because of monsoon season. But, in an effort to save money, not waste food (which, my children do often), and "use every part of the buffalo" as it were, I decided to make an exception.

So, what's a gal to do? Make banana bread, of course! Here is a shnazzy recipe that my family loves:

Banana Bread (yields 1 loaf...I usually double the recipe)

1/2 c. butter, at room temperature
1/2 c. granulated sugar
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 c. all-purpose flour (I use unbleached cake flour)
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 c. whole-wheat flour
3 large ripe bananas
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 c. chopped pecans (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line bottom and sides of 9x5-inch loaf pan with wax paper and grease. (I use parchment paper and PAM.)
2. With an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.

4. Sift the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon over the butter mixture and stir to blend.

5. Stir in the whole-wheat flour.

6. In a separate bowl and using a fork, mash the bananas into a puree, then stir into the batter. Stir in vanilla and pecans (if desired).
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan(s) and spread level.

8. Bake until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 50-60 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.It's tasty good! I hope you enjoy!
I'm linking up to these great parties!

14 comments:

  1. I love banana bread! It is so yummy. Thanks for sharing this great recipe.

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  2. Sure wish we had "smell-o-vision" for our monitors, because I bet it smells as good as it looks! *LOL* I love banana bread in the mornings, warm with melted butter....YUMMY!
    ♥hugs♥

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  3. Mmmm.. thanks for the recipe! I can't wait to try it out =)

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  4. I still just don't know about the whole concept of banana bread. It always looks so nice but I am not crazy about banana flavoured things. It must be quite good for you though. And I am surprized at how low in fat it is.

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  5. Oh, I love banana bread. Thanks for the recipe. I just might try it...today!

    Thanks for linking to Messy Monday!!

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  6. MMMmmmmmmmm, I just made several loaves of Zucchini bread today...can't go wrong with a good loaf of bread! :) Thanks for linking these to gettin' crafty on hump day!

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  7. Yummy - this is one of my favorite foods!
    Stop over to enter my giveaway

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  8. Gosh these looks so good! I love banana bread. I'll have to try the whole wheat flour.

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  9. I just made banana bread yesterday! :) So good. Want a delicious way to eat it? Try a warm slice out of the oven with Nutella on it. Oh, its so good!

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  10. Yummy! I love banana bread. Did you know you can freeze the bananas? Just toss it in the freezer in the skin. They will turn black, but don't worry. When defrosted they are a little runny, but work great in bread!

    Thanks for linking up to the “Cheap Thrills Thursday” party at Black Kats Design. I hope you had fun and will join in again next Thursday!

    Kat

    www.BlackKatsDesign.blogspot.com

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  11. Hi Clarissa! I found your site off of Today’s Creative Blog! I love your craft! It looks absolutely delicious! I just signed up to be your newest follower! Woo hoo! I hope you stop by my new blog. I just started it 2 months ago and would love new friends! Please come see me at http://www.modernfamilymagazine.com

    -Heather-

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  12. My husband would love this (I am a banana hater myself) I really should be a better wife and make him some! Thanks for linking up to Topsy Turvy Tuesday's!

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