BANANA BREAD

There is nothing better than making your own Banana Bread, the smell fills every corner of the house and it is the easiest thing to make.  I use Macadamia nuts (or you can use walnuts) which compliments this recipe even more.  ENJOY!!

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar (I use organic cane sugar)

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

5 very ripe bananas – mashed well

1 stick unsalted butter – melted and cooled

2 large eggs

1/2 cup whole organic yogurt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cups macadamia nuts, (or you can use walnuts) toasted and chopped

Confectioner’s sugar – light dusting before serving.

1. Adjust the oven rack to the lower middle position and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease with butter an 8.5 by 4.5 inch loaf pan
3. Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon together in a large bowl.

4.  In a mixer using the wire attachment whip 2 mashed bananas, melted butter, eggs, yogurt and vanilla.  Mix well.. you want a fluffy and creamy banana mixture.

5.  In a separate small bowl, mash the remaining 3 bananas so they still have some chunky texture.  Then blend together with banana mixture in blender.Slowly fold the whole banana mixture in with the flour until it is combined.. but don’t over mix.  Fold in the macadamia nuts.

6.  Using a rubber spatula, pour the batter into the buttered loaf pan and smooth the edges and top.

7.  Bake until golden brown – approximately 55 minutes.  Rotate every 15 minutes to ensure all sides are baked evenly.  When you do this be delicate so you don’t upset the rising bread

8.  Remove and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes.  Then place on rack and cool with a cloth towel over the bread for another 30 minutes before serving.

9.  To serve, cut into slices and lightly dust with confectioner’s sugar – serve!