This afternoon I had Santa in mind when I made some banana bread. I was trying to help him out so my kids wouldn't consume too many cookies while we baked! I get their temptation, but I also know the work and time that goes into the simplest of cookies! As much as I enjoy making Christmas cookies, I don't need to make countless batches before Christmas. Just a few, and just the right ones.
This post isn't about cookies though, it's about Banana Bread. I usually go for a recipe that calls for a lot of sugar but I knew today that I needed to go a bit more healthy in the approach to this snack bread. I have so many frozen bananas in my freezer right now I'll likely be making a lot more of this and freezing some loaves for easy breakfasts and snacks in the months ahead!
I may swap the AP flour for whole wheat in the next batch too. Maybe I'll add some more spices or maybe I'll throw some flax meal in there too. What can I say? Things are getting exciting over here. ;)
Ingredients You'll Need
1 1/2 cups walnuts
2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup plain greek yogurt
2 cups mashed bananas
Preheat your oven to 350 and place the walnuts on a baking sheet. Toast them for about 12 minutes, tossing halfway through. Once they're done allow them to cool then chop them up.
Meanwhile in a stand mixer combine the sugar and oil. Next add in your remaining ingredients, eggs through greek yogurt, reserving the flour and banana.
Slowly stir in the flour. Once incorporated mix in the bananas and then stir in the chopped walnuts.
Spray 2 loaf pans with nonstick spray and then divide your batter between the two. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Check after 45 minutes and use a toothpick to make sure it comes out clean to know you're done.
After 10 minutes turn the bread out onto a board to cool completely or enjoy warm!
My boys inhaled more than half a loaf this afternoon. Never make just one loaf of bread friends- recipes that make two are your friend!