Friday, June 24, 2011

Fancy Banana Bread


My mother-in-law makes a FANTASTIC banana bread so why bother with a new recipe…because I can’t duplicate hers. My batter ends up either too light or too heavy and it can’t support it’s own weight. When it begins to rise while baking, it kind of falls into itself and although it does still taste good it just looks terrible. I’m not giving up on that recipe just yet but I needed to rebuild my confidence in my banana bread baking skills, so I went looking for a recipe that I thought was most likely to yield successful results. After seeing the cooks at America’s Test Kitchen make their Ultimate Banana Bread, I thought I’d give it a try.

Of course like all things that happen in real life v. TV, my endeavor didn’t go quite as smoothly as the TV show did but none of that really mattered since the end loaf turned out just wonderful. The only change I’ll have to make next time is to leave off the banana “shingles” that were lovingly placed on each side of the loaf. My kids wanted nothing to do with those little guys.

Look everone – I wrote a short post! I didn’t know I had it in me. Now I need to stop before I spoil it.

 Fancy Banana Bread

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups (8 3/4 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon table salt
5-6 large very ripe bananas (about 2 1/4 pounds), divided.
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter , melted and cooled slightly
2 large eggs
3/4 cup (5 1/4 ounces) packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup walnuts , toasted and coarsely chopped (optional)
2 teaspoons granulated sugar

Directions:
  1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8 x 4 inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together.
  3. Peel and place 5 bananas in microwave-safe bowl; cover with plastic wrap and cut several steam vents in plastic with paring knife. Microwave on high power until bananas are soft and have released liquid, about 5 minutes. Transfer bananas to fine-mesh strainer placed over medium bowl and allow to drain, stirring occasionally. In 15 minutes (you should have ½ to ¾ cup liquid).
  4. Transfer liquid to a small saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until it reduced to ¼ cup, about 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat, stir reduced liquid into bananas, and mash with potato masher until fairly smooth. Whisk in butter, eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla.
  5. Pour banana mixture into flour mixture and stir until just combined with some streaks of flour remaining.
  6. Gently fold in walnuts, if using. Scrape batter into prepared pan. If shingling bananas on top of loaf, slice remaining banana diagonally into ¼-inch thick slices place the banana slices on top of either side of loaf, leaving 1 ½ inch-wide space down center to ensure even rise. Sprinkle granulated sugar evenly over loaf to give the bread a crackly, smooth, glossy top.
  7. Bake until toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean, 45 to 75 minutes. Cool bread in pan on wire rack 15 minutes, then remove loaf from pan and continue to cool on wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes: For sweeter bread, use banana’s that are heavily speckled.


Gwenevere

17 comments:

In Katrina's Kitchen said...

Ooh! I love banana bread - this does look yummy!

Rivki Locker said...

What an unusual technique for banana bread. I've never seen a recipe that calls for draining the bananas and using the liquid like that. You have me intrigued. Bookmarking this to try soon.

Apron Appeal said...

Rivki, I thought the same thing. I kept asking myself why I was going through the troubled to take the liquid out if I was just going to put it back in. But as you can see from the second picture, the loaf has some height to it and NONE of my breads in the past have been able to do that.

The Harried Cook said...

I have never seen a recipe like this one before, but it sure looks good! Thanks for sharing :)

sherri lynn said...

I've never made a banana bread like this! I love finding new recipes and techniques - I want to try this one out!

Apron Appeal said...

sherri, it's worth trying...just don't misread and put in a TABLESPoon of vanilla. I made it again, just to be sure it was still good.

FamilySpice said...

Yum, banana bread! I keep my over-ripe bananas in the freezer until I'm ready to use them. Then, defrost them and they are soft and full of extra-banana flavor. But, I've never microwaved them before!

Apron Appeal said...

FamilySpice, I dont think most people have heard of microwaving bananas to get the juice out....and that is why I love ATK.

garlutti said...

Hello from SPAIN VIGO ... I love your blog and recipes ... I will follow you and invite you to share my blog and recipes ... I love these candies and fancy -banana-bread that you have done ... greetings Marimi

createwithmom said...

delicious looking banana bread looks wonderful
torviewtoronto and createwithmom

Hester Casey - Alchemy said...

This looks like wonderful banana bread, Gwenevere. I'm going to have to try the banana shingles. I nearly always have speckly bananas hanging around the kitchen. My subconscious is probably trying to tell me "make banana bread" :)

Nava K said...

This is different, nice with the bananas slices at the side of the cake.

Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets said...

I love the way you decorated it -- banana bread with nuts is my favorite :).

Unknown said...

Hmmm, I have banana's on my counter! I'll just have to see if I can keep everyone from eating them. I'm sure I could convince them with these pictures!

Camille said...

try chocolate chips in your banana bread . . . you will never turn back once you do.

Apron Appeal said...

If this is the Camille I think it is...I believe you! I'm addicted to your pumpkin chocolate chip bread. If I wasn't enjoying summer so much I'd hope for autumn right now!

Whisked Away said...

Sounds amazing! Thanks for stopping by my blog and entering my Artisan Bread contest! I will have to check out the Laurel's kitchen bread book, buttermilk bread sounds divine!

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