March 19, 2009

Housewife's Banana Bread

I'm pretty sure that everyone already has their favorite banana bread recipe. I know I do - my mom's. This is not a post for hers though, because see the thing about my mom's banana bread is, that it's simply hers. It's what she's known for and I'm pretty sure that if I ever tried to make it, there would be no chance of it tasting as good as when she does. Guess it just has that extra little "mom factor." So, I'll stick with having her mail us loaves and loaves (seriously, the UPS guy knows her by name).

For this same reason, I usually steer clear of most banana bread recipes. This one piqued my interest though (when I first saw it on Noble Pig, but actually got it's origin from Leslie at The Hungry Housewife -- love both of them!), because of the ingredients. Essentially, Leslie took a plain jane banana bread and gussied it up into something really different and special. It has coconut and blueberries, in addition to walnuts, if you're into that sort of thing. This was entirely different than my mom's, and in the end I decided was even more like a blueberry bread. And it was delicious! My only mistake was forgetting to set the timer (or I actually set it on the microwave and someone -- ahem -- messed with it!), so it got a little overcooked on the edges. Nothing a little doctoring couldn't fix.

So even if you have a go-to banana bread recipe, I would encourage you to try this one for a change. I mean we all have black bananas in the freezer, right? I liked mine best slightly heated in the microwave with a big smear of butter.

Please click HERE to get the recipe and to pay Leslie a little visit. The only change I made was to add a few more blueberries (which I highly recommend!). I think I would also leave out the walnuts next time as well, but that is entirely up to you and yours. 

29 comments:

Donna-FFW said...

I love to bake with bananas and this looks fantastic with the blueberries. So moist!

Dewi said...

Believe it or not, I've been making her banana bread using Cathy's recipe three times. My family hate banana cake or banana bread, but not this one. This one is special, unlike any other. I think this banana bread become very famous now.
Cheers,
elra

Foodie with Little Thyme! said...

I do have a favorite banana bread recipe but not a Blueberry bread recipe. Sounds very good. I may have to give it a try.

Anonymous said...

This looks great- a nice change from standard banana bread. When blueberries are in season, I always go a little bonkers buying them! This'd give me another option besides blueberry muffing for them!

Sara said...

I love blueberry with banana, it's a great flavor combination. This looks fabulous.

Unknown said...

That really looks good. I like the addition of blueberries to banana bread. Regular banana bread can get a little boring. :)

Anonymous said...

This banana bread with blueberries looks fantastic! I need to make this one too.

Lavanya said...

looks great ..i love this..i haven't baked any bread till now..your bread looks healthy n delicious!!

Aimée said...

Wow, love the name of this loaf and I could eat about half of it right now with my tea.

Simones Kitchen said...

I've never made bananabread (it's not something that you can find in general in Holland) but this looks very delicious. Unfortunately my boyfriend is allergic to bananas so I always have to eat anything with bananas completely myself...
This sure looks worth the try though! I do have to ask though; black bananas in the freezer?? What is that? Overripe bananas you put in the freezer? It's funny sometimes how big cultural differences can be... would love to know what it is though!

sugarlens said...

Sometimes those overcooked edges are the best part!

I love banana bread and I love blueberry muffins equally - I think I would definitely like this Housewife's Banana Bread!

Foodiewife said...

I admit, that I tend to scrutinize banana bread recipes, because they can be so boring. This one looks really great! I love blueberries, so I'll have to give this version a "go" for a weekend coffee and baked treat breakfast.

Great job!

Kerstin said...

I love the idea of blueberries in banana bread! Plus, they're super good for you - my hubby would love this recipe. I just discovered Leslie's blog a few days ago - it's great!

Culinary Wannabe said...

Hi Donna - Agreed, bananas are just great with anything. It's ironic that they are the only food my dog won't eat though!

Hi Elra - That's so funny! Leslie said it was one of her most popular recipes.

Hi Foodie - I think the blueberries and coconut really make it unique and definitely worth making.

Hi Pumpkin - I love blueberries too. But only will buy them in season because they are just so darn expensive otherwise.

Hi Sara - Thanks!

Hi Melissa - I think it's one of those things that you really have to spruce up to be different.

Hi 5 Star Foodie - I'm sure you will love it!

Hi Lavanya - No bread?! Honey, you have no idea what you have been missing! :)

Hi Aimée - Bread like this is dangerous since it is so easy to eat the whole thing!

Hi Junglefrog - That's exactly it. I just throw ripe bananas that I'm not going to eat in the freezer, wait till I have a nice collection, then make something like this. You should try it! Great way to keep from wasting them.

Hi Sugarlens - I wish my edges were just crispy, but sadly, they were pretty black. Just goes to show you how good this must be if it can withstand over baking by that much!

Hi Debby - I feel like most people have their favorite version that is hard to compete with. The blueberries totally sold me on this one though.

Hi Kerstin - I kept telling myself the blueberries were healthy while I ate half the loaf! :)

Chef Fresco said...

I love B.nut bread. I like how you added blueberries to it!

Emily said...

Mmmm I love banana bread. This one sounds really good.

That was a boring comment, I'm sorry. I don't feel very creative today.

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

I don't think I've ever made banana bread but yours with the blueberries made me think now maybe I should try banana bread. I have bags full of blueberries we picked from our bush last year in the freezer and that would put them to good use.
Funny you should use blueberries. We just yesterday planted three new bushes. It's great fun to pick your own, but you have to be fast to beat the birds when the berries are ripe.
Sam

Dani Spies said...

Coconut, banana, blueberries and walnuts?! Wow that sounds amazing! Plus I like the golden edges... it looks like it has a little crunch on the outside and is nice and tender throughout... YUM!!

Michelle said...

I have a mango bread recipe from Food Blogga I've been meaning to try. Yours look tasty, making me hungry!

Talita said...

That bread looks really yummy! The dough is so moist and soft! Gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

I know, i love this recipe...it's so, so yummy. I make it all the time...glad you liked it. Maybe you could have a bake-off with your mom.

Anonymous said...

woah this is the 4th banana bread blog post i've read today! popular week for bananas baking!

Maria said...

Love Leslie's blog. The bread looks so good, love the addition of blueberries!

Simones Kitchen said...

See I would never have thought of putting overripe bananas in the freezer. Didn't know you could freeze them!! But since I am the only one eating bananas here it is a very good idea and I will certainly start doing that from now on!

test it comm said...

That blueberry banana bread looks so good! It is one of my favorite banana breads.

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

All I can say is YUM. I love the addition of blueberries.

Kendra said...

I LOOOOVE banana bread.
I left you some awards on my blog. Swing by and pick them up :)

Cherie said...

I'd like the overcooked edges please! That's the best part:)

Anonymous said...

This banana bread looks amazing! I have thought of putting blueberries in mine but have never gotten around to it, but looking at this makes me so want to do that now!

I love my basic recipe, but I will take your word for it and try this one.