2 Jul 2011

Super Moist Banana Bread

by | posted in: Yummy for the Tummy | 29

What you’re about to read will change your life.  Well, maybe not your life but it will change the life of any future banana bread you bake.

This is a big deal that I share this secret with you but I’m doing it because I love you and it’s the Christian thing to do.  This is how I came upon this conclusion:

Question:

Lord, should I share the secret to my super moist banana bread?  It’s so tasty and I kinda want to keep it my little secret and impress my friends with it.  Is it wrong to keep this a secret?  Please tell me it’s not.

Answer:

My dear, precious child: It’s up to you but I think it would be nice if you shared this wisdom with those you love.  Think about how happy they would be if they knew how to serve their own precious families this wonderful banana bread.  What would Jesus do if he had come up with this recipe?  Would he have kept it a secret or would he have shared the love?  (Pause)  What would Caroline Ingals do?

Here we go:

1 1/3 cups flour

3/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground ginger

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg (fresh is better if you have it)

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

1 tsp. garam masala

5 1/2 Tbs. butter, softened

2/3 cups sugar

2 eggs, lightly beaten

2 very ripe bananas

1 cup butternut squash puree

(optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans)

Preheat oven to 350.  Whisk together, in a medium bowl, first 9 dry ingredients. Set aside.  In a large bowl beat with a mixer butter and sugar, 2 to 3 minutes.  Gradually beat in flour mixture until consistency of brown sugar.  Gradually beat in eggs.

Mash bananas really well.  Combine bananas and squash puree then fold into mixture until combined.

Squished squash and bananas

Generously spray a loaf pan or muffin tin with cooking spray.  If making a loaf bake for 50 to 60 minutes until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.  If making muffins bake for 20 to 30 minutes.

Here’s an easy method for squash puree: peel and coarsely chop two to three cups of butternut squash.  Place in a microwave safe dish add about 2 cups water; the water should cover only about half of the squash.  Microwave 8 to 10 minutes.  Test with fork, it should be very soft.  Dump all of that into a blender and puree until very smooth.

Here’s my cooked squash ready to be blended

Here is what you do with leftover butternut squash you didn’t puree:

Toss w/ three or four new potatoes, fresh rosemary, salt, pepper, garam masala, drizzell w/ honey then roast in the broiler, tossing once or twice until just tender (about 15 minutes)

Now, go and bake.  The Lord want’s you to have banana bread.

29 Responses

  3. Barb - The Empty Nest Mom
    | Reply

    Amazing – squash? Really? Thank you for sharing, Ms Caroline, I think the Lord did, indeed, want us to have this. Happy SITS day to you. Hope you can relax today with a piece of moist banana bread and read all the comment love coming your way.

  4. Laura
    | Reply

    I have some very ripe bananas at my house now that I hate to throw away. I’m going to give this a try.

    Happy SITS Day!

  6. ashleyinnc
    | Reply

    Ummm, thank you Lord and this website for this recipe. I am pretty sure I will be making it in the next 2 days when the bananas I have ripen enough. And did I see you say you can substitute a can of pumpkin for the squash??? I am pretty sure you have just made my 2nd grader’s breakfast for next week! :):)
    Came over via SITS and SO glad I did!

      • ashleyinnc
        | Reply

        So how much pumpkin is used? I want to make this over the weekend, but I would love the specific substitution of pumpkin for squash.

        • Hugs, Kisses and Snot
          | Reply

          I use about 1/2 a can of pumpkin. The batter will be a little thick so I add some apple sauce. One of the single serve containers or about 1/3 cup should do the trick. I hope you like it!

  10. Chloe
    | Reply

    I love that there is butternut squash in this recipe! My son is a super picky eater and I think sneaking some veggies into banana bread is a great way to get some added nutrition!

  11. Beth (OMG! Yummy)
    | Reply

    saying hi from SITS! hope you are having a great day! What a creative banana bread recipe with an extra helping of veggies plus leftovers for dinner 🙂

  12. Carlo/Carlo At Your Service Productions
    | Reply

    Well now… who, pray tell, would’ve thunk it?

    This sounds wonderful. I’m bookmarking this page so I don’t…
    Second thought, I’ll just add it to my ZipList.

    Wonderful recipe by a wonderful blogger. Enjoyed my self hanging out with you today.
    I hope that you’ve thoroughly enjoyed your special SITS FB day!
    And again, congratulations!
    I love to see God’s people reaping and being blessed.

  13. homejobsbymom
    | Reply

    Interesting! Never heard of squash in banana bread. I sure do love banana bread though. Thanks for the recipe!

  14. homejobsbymom
    | Reply

    Very interest! Squash? All that matters is taste and it looks amazing!

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