Recipe: Banana Nut Bread

Variations of Fruit Bread for Brunch

© Robyn Harrison

Mar 20, 2008

Baking banana bread is an excellent way to use ripe, soft bananas that won't pack well in a lunch bag. In fact, the riper the bananas are, the easier it is to incorporate them into the batter. An even easier method is to purchase overripe bananas and freeze them right in the peeling. When ready to make the bread, thaw bananas in the sink. Split the peels and squeeze bananas into the blender. The peels will be black but the bananas will be perfect for either of these banana bread recipes.

Both recipes call for walnuts, but pecans also work well. Break both into pieces, or chop them with a nut chopper or knife. If using a food processor to chop them, place nuts in processor and pulse several times so that they are broken into pieces instead of chopped into dust.

The sour cream in the first recipe yields a moist banana nut bread, while the second recipe calls for semi-sweet chocolate chips to satisfy chocolate lovers.

Sour Cream Banana Bread

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 3 tablespoons sour cream
• 2 large ripe bananas
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups flour (1/2 whole wheat and 1/2 all-purpose unbleached)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place sugar, butter, eggs, sour cream, bananas and vanilla in blender container.
3. Blend until fairly smooth. There may be some small banana lumps.
4. Add salt, soda and flour.
5. Blend until well combined.
6. Stir in chopped walnuts.
7. Spray large loaf pan (9x5x3) with non-stick spray.
8. Spread batter in pan.
9. Bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 1 hour.
10. Remove from pan and cool on rack.
11. Serve warm from oven with butter or toast in toaster.

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1 egg
• 3 small bananas, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease a large (9x5x3) loaf pan.
3. In a mediuml bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and chopped nuts.
4. Place milk, sugar, butter, egg and bananas in blender and blend about 10 seconds.
5. Scrape sides of blender and blend another 5 seconds. Batter should be smooth with a few small lumps of banana.
6. Pour batter over dry ingredients and mix until well moistened.
7. Stir in chocolate chips, if desired.
8. Spread batter in prepared pan.
9. Bake for 1 hour, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
10. Cool on rack.

Bananas

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