Ever since Kristy over at Eat, Play, Love started her ‘Quest for the Best Banana Bread,’ I’ve been on the hunt to find some contenders . Though I wouldn’t know if this is the best bread out there, as I haven’t tested multiple recipes like Kristy, this one has to rank pretty high up there.
The prominent flavors of banana and cinnamon pair wonderfully with the toasted walnuts. Even the texture of the bread is spot on, with an incredibly moist interior and slightly crunchy exterior. Perfect for breakfast with a cup of coffee, a mid-day snack or late night treat.
Recipe:
3 1/4 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
4 large eggs, at room temperature
2 1/3 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 cups coarsely mashed very ripe bananas (7 large)
1/4 cup crème fraîche
2 tsp. vanilla
1 bag (2.25 oz.) shelled walnuts, toasted and chopped
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 2 (9- by 5- by 3-inch) metal loaf pans, then cut parchment paper to fit the bottom of each pan. Butter top of parchment, then dust with flour, knocking out excess.
Sift together 3 1/4 cups flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt into a bowl.
Beat together eggs and sugar in bowl of a stand mixer at medium-high speed until very thick and pale and mixture forms a ribbon when beater is lifted, about 10 minutes. Reduce speed to low and add oil in a slow stream, mixing, then mix in bananas, crème fraîche, and vanilla. Remove bowl from mixer and fold in flour mixture gently but thoroughly.
Divide batter between loaf pans, spreading evenly, Halfway through the baking process, top both loaves with chopped walnuts. Bake loaves in middle of oven until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean, 1 hour.
Cool loaves in pans on a rack 10 minutes, then turn out onto rack. Turn loaves right side up and cool completely.
Recipe adapted from Epicurious.
Mmmm! This looks fabulous! I can see how it would certainly be a contender for the best. I think this one will have to get thrown into the quest. The ingredient list is definitely different enough than the other recipes. :) Looks like Miss A and I have another Friday project. Thanks for the mention Caroline. I can’t wait to give this one a try. Oh – and that first photo is gorgeous!!!
This bread sounds wonderful!
You know how I feel about bread already l ol, but I must admit this banana bread with the toasted walnuts looks very nice. And in last photo, the bread looks very moist. I can’t wait to share this with my mom.
Not the biggest banana guy, but it sounds good enough to make for the wife to enjoy. ;-)
How fun! Another bread recipe today! Just saw a good one over at Cook Eat Live Vegetarian and now this yummy one. And I actually have the same question in mind, could this bread be made gluten-free? I guess we could replace the flour with rice or quinoa flour?
This looks amazing! I may give this one a go this weekend! Thanks for sharing.
Seeing this delectable looking banana bread with toasted walnuts makes me realize how long it has been since I have made banana bread…way too long. Yours looks like Banana Bread Perfection…absolutely! With blogging, it’s so funny that some of my good ol’ stand-bys go by the wayside since I must make something new and different that I haven’t done before. Then everyone at my house misses their faves. Hm.
This coulda been a contendah! What no one else thought that. OK, it looks great!
I made banana bread this weekend, too! But it didn’t have that great walnut topping. That photo of the mashed bananas looks great. And the one of the dough in the pans. And in the mixing bowl. And the finished breads, too. ;)
Gorgeous! I can’t never get enough of banana bread. Love this classic combination of flavours.
I too have been searching for the perfect banana bread recipe, the ones i’ve made have come out too sweet or sticky. Yours have turned out beautifully and will have to give the recipe a try!
I have an old favourite banana bread recipe that has become a bit blah, so I will try this one next! c
Can never, ever have enough banana bread recipes! I’m always changing it up and this one does look so texturally good (love the creme fraiche) and I’m liking those generous chunks of walnuts on top!
I have never had banana bread with creme fraiche. That must add such a moist (hate that word) and tangy note. This definitely could be a contender for the best banana bread at least from these pictures!
It sounds like an excellent way to save the floury, overripe bananas. I think we all have them from time to time…
I would LOVE to find the perfect banana bread recipe! There is one which includes sour cream that sounds right up my street – but this looks amazing too! I love anything with a ton of cinnamon! xox
Now I would like to have some banana bread. Haven’t had it in ages.
These loaves look just as good as they did yesterday on FB. A little melted butter on a slice and I’d be in heaven.
Walnuts are a must in any and every banana bread I make. I love the contrast of the soft bread with the crunchy walnuts scattered throughout. YUM!
–Caroline,
I swear, I can smell the banana bread.
What a wonderful Scent of HOME. Xx
That banana bread looks fabulous!
Moist interior. Crunchy exterior. This one definitely sounds like a contender. I just might have to bake it, for quality control purposes. ;)
I am particularly excited about the toasted walnuts in this bread and can just imagine the delightful flavour they impart. I also like the fact that this recipe creates two loaves – it’s always exciting to be able to store one in the freezer for later use or share it as a hostess gift!
Just made banana bread this afternoon!! Love the crunchy walnuts in this one… bet your kitchen smelled amazing while this baked, eh?
xx
This just looks a TEENSY bit better than the packaged banana nut muffin i bought at school today.
Fantastic bread! :) I love banana bread myself, they are always so fragrant and appetizing :D
They are available everywhere, but good ones are hard to come by!
With great baking skills and photos like these, honestly, you don’t need to write anymore to elaborate…we are already hooked!:p
Oh my what decadent loaves using crème fraiche and walnuts – sounds heavenly!
:-) Mandy
Beautiful breads! So fluffy, moist and promising.
Cheers,
Rosa
Love the creme fraiche in this – must make it extra light. Another one for me to try out :)
I like the addition of the crème fraîche in this recipe :)
Okay, I think I need to bake some banana nut bread. I love reading Kristy’s post on her quest for the best banana nut bread and now reading your post, I can’t seem to get it out of my head! I like how you added creme fraiche to this recipe, I’ve never tried using it in my baked goods, I always use Greek yogurt.
I love a good banana bread and have found the key is the number of bananas added and this one has plenty! Love the cinnamon and walnuts as well!
I haven’t started baking with bananas yet this season, but I need to hop on it, especially with the look of your bread!
This really looks delicious and your recipe sounds truly wonderful. I’m never disappointedwhen I visit here. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
I am in love with this bread. I wish you and Kristy had posted all these recipes when I had my banana911
I must have tried 10+ different recipes for a banana bread, so I’m all with you on finding the “right” one :) I’d have to try this recipe – since I just love banana bread !!!
This looks so moist and I bet the aroma as it bakes is awesome!
Yay, banana bread, and walnuts too – the two of those go together like bread and butter. I love the look of this one – neat, spongey centre, smooth top – looks great!
You got me with two words…moist and crunchy.
I really do honestly think the best type of bread//muffin/cake is banana of some sort. just soo much wonderful flavor going on! This bread looks delicious
Oh I love the side shot of this banana bread! My kids LOVE banana bread and I also look for something easy and yummy. I need to try yours next time. I never put walnuts and that’s actually a great idea!
It sounds like it could be up there for the best! Especially with the cinnamon and walnuts. Just looking at those pictures is making me hungry– it looks the bread looks so perfect and delicious!
Delicious! This is something that I could eat for days!
Wow… That’s looks really delicious. I live the flavour and the warmy small of the banana in breads or even in the cakes. such a wonderful recipe Sweety, thank you.
mmm banana nut bread is ALWAYS a good idea… and a crowd pleaser!
What a cool, nutty twist on banana bread! Good job!
I have tried lots of banana breads recipes but don’t remember adding creme fraiche to any of them. Gotta try it! Thanks for sharing!
[…] Mike and I also whipped up one other cranberry appetizer, but we’ll share that one later this week. Now on to our Quest for the Best Banana Bread. We’re closing in on the final taste test of all the banana bread recipes. In fact, I think we only have one recipe left to go, but before we get there we bring you Sweet Caroline’s Banana Bread. […]
[…] Gone Banana’s Not to change the subject but on my FaceBook page I’ve been posting my meals and workouts to get back on track. I get asked by my clients what a typical day is like for me, now you can join me to get some ideas on quick easy meals. Though I have to warn you, I do have a sweet tooth and with some leftover holiday candy lying around I find it challenging to resist! Join me and post your meals and recipes so we can all motivate each other to stay on track. I say why wait until next week, let’s start together now. Lisa’s Easy GF Banana Walnut Muffins Servings: 12/Serving size: 1 Wt Watcher pts: 3/Pts Plus: 4 Calories: 150/protein: 2 g/ fat: 6 g/carbs: 23 g/fiber: 2g Dry Ingredients 1 3/4 c. Pamela’s gluten free APF baking and pancake mix 1 tsp ground cinnamon Wet Ingredients: 1 c mashed banana’s 1/4 c. sunflower oil 2 whole eggs ½ cup brown sugar (use your favorite sugar or sweetener, I used coconut sugar in the past) 2 tsp vanilla extract Optional: ½ cup walnuts or any nut or seeds of your choice Garnish each muffin with a walnut half sprinkled with a pinch of cinnamon and sugar Other options: chocolate chip morsels, dried fruit, other nuts – ½ cup total Method: 1. Pre-heat oven to 350 F. In a small bowl add dry ingredients; set aside. 2. In a medium bowl add wet ingredients, mix until well combined. 3. Add dry ingredients into wet ingredients, gently mixing and folding in. Don’t over mix or else the dough will be tough and dense. Evenly distribute dough in a 12 cup muffin pan, place a walnut half on top and sprinkle with a pinch of cinnamon and sugar. 4. Bake in oven for about 20-25 minutes or until golden brown or when you insert a tooth pick it comes out clean. Let cool, enjoy them fresh or store in air tight container in the fridge or freezer. Nutritional Analysis for 1 muffin: calories: 150/protein: 2 g/ total carbs: 23 g/ dietary fiber: 2 g/ sugars: 12 g/ total fat: 6 g/ saturated fat: 0 g/ monounsaturated fat: 1 g/ polyunsaturated fat: 4 g/cholesterol: 35 mg/ sodium: 135 mg % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet for adults: iron: 7%/ selenium: 4%/ manganese: 4%/riboflavin: 3%/ thiamin: 2%/niacin: 2%/ B6: 2%/B12: 2%/ folate: 2%/pantothenic acid: 2%/phosphorus: 2%/vitaminK: 1%/biotin: 1%/ calcium: 1%/magnesium: 1%/vitamin D: 1%/copper: 1%/ zinc: 1% This entry was posted in Breakfast, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Kid Friendly, School lunch ideas, toddler friendly, Vegetarian and tagged banana, gluten free, muffins, nuts. Bookmark the permalink. ← Chocolate Ginger Fig Truffles {DIY Holiday Gift Idea} […]
[…] Sweet Caroline’s Banana Bread (courtesy of Sweet Caroline’s Cooking) […]
[…] Not being able to cook for the last couple of weeks has been torture! Now that I’m finally able to eat solid foods (well, soft foods), I decided to bake some banana bread with my over-ripe bananas. This banana bread recipe was delicious, but I have to admit that I prefer this recipe! […]
[…] Not being able to cook for the last couple of weeks has been torture! Now that I’m finally able to eat solid foods (well, soft foods), I decided to bake some banana bread with my over-ripe bananas. This banana bread recipe was delicious, but I have to admit that I prefer this recipe! […]