Give Holiday Banana Bread This Season

I've been using the Fannie Farmer recipe for years. There is no oil or butter of any kind. It does well with any changes or additions you care to make. I ofren ad dried fruit and nuts. It can be found online. Try it!

Debbie

Seems like regular whole wheat pastry flour would also work just fine. That's what I always use and no one ever complains. Not sure how they make whole wheat flour white, are you?

Thank you for this. The calorie counts are shocking!!

Jennie McKenna

Looks great!

Any ideas for a dairy free version?

Katy Kellen

Do you think it would work to use coconut oil? I have been using it in my bread instead of butter and it seems to work!

Angela

You must have read my mind. This is one of the breads I am considering making for the neighbors. This is a terrific recipe. I will definitely be using coconut oil. Since I switched to it we have lost weight and hubby's cholesterol has gone down to the normal range. Of course, we will use stevia or Nectresse instead of sugar. We as many of our neighbors are diabetic. Buttermilk is wonderful and makes the bread tender and moist. You can sub with soy or almond milk but it won't be as good and eggs are necessary for this recipe so if you can't have dairy this recipe may not be for you. Here is a dairy free version and I am sure you can google others:

http://dairyfreecooking.about.com/od/breadsbakery/r/vegan_b…

If you are lactose intolerant here is info regarding buttermilk and yogurt which are normally tolerated well especially in recipes:

http://planetlactose.blogspot.com/2007/09/cultured-buttermi…

and

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000276.htm

I_Fortuna

Did you know you can substitute ground flax seed and water for eggs? The ratio is 3 tablespoons of water to 1 tablespoon flax seed PER egg. You mix it up and let it set for 10 or 15 minutes until it congeals then add it to your recipe. I also use a 1:1 substitute of unsweetened applesauce for the fat, i.e. I use 1/2 cup of applesauce instead of 1/2 cup of shortening (one of those little applesauce snack cups is 1/2 cup). With these subs, the bread comes out moist and yummy. The only fat I add is a little bit of spray in the pan.

Gloria

I love this idea! I'm always looking for things to bring to friends' houses as a hostess gift or holiday gift. One thing I add to my banana bread is some chia seeds. They are so good for you and have the consistency of poppy seeds so they aren't too foreign esp. for little kids. Thanks for this idea! I suppose you could do this substitute for pumpkin bread too...?

Tracey S

I am so glad I saw your recipe. I bought some ceramic loaf pans to make bread in for holiday gifts and I wanted to find something using white whole wheat flour. Thanks for the recipe.

Pat

Mmmmm, banana bread is one of my favorite things, and I will put all sorts of stuff in it, depending what I have on hand when I happen to have a couple of bananas overripening on me. I like muffin form and you can use less flour altogether that way. I always use 1/2 white and 1/2 whole wheat flour and toss in oats, ground flaxseed or wheat bran, as well as nuts or other seeds. For the fat, a little bit of butter makes a yummy difference to me, but I'll sub applesauce, crushed pineapple, or yogurt for half of it. Never tried oil with buttermilk, making a note for next time!

Shari

I love this recipe and will be making it. I think I will either use just egg whites or 1 whole egg and 2 egg whites to cut down more on cholesterol. Great ideas from everyone to try.

Thanks

Ruth

Great suggestion on flax. I had forgotten about flax meal even though we often use it. It can also be used as a substitute for oil. Flax meal can be use in almost any recipe, breads, cakes, soups and stews. Hubby sprinkles it on his peanut butter sandwiches.

I_Fortuna

@Jennie McKenna - White whole wheat flour is just another strain of flour. Regular whole wheat is from red wheat, white whole wheat is from white spring wheat, and whole wheat pastry flour is from a low-protein soft wheat. White whole wheat is milled the same other whole wheats flours are milled.

Amy

I just saw some ceramic loaf pans for a dollar at AC Moore that I thought I would use. Will do your recipe and also a Gluten free chocolate cake mix with a 15 oz can of pumpkin puree(just those two ingredients, nothing else)for myself and some friends.

Sue

Well this sounds just wonderful and less calories and no fat. But could you tell me how long to bale large loaf pans as I don't have small ones and will just cut them in half to give out.

sandy oneill

I make a healthy banana bread that uses honey and applesauce instead of oil and sugar. It also calls for wheat flour, but I prefer to use both shite and wheat. My family loves it and I feel good about giving them less fat and refined sugar.

Jami

I won first prize at the county fair making Cook's Country's version of banana bread. It calls for making a banana reduction. thus concentrating the awesomeness of banana! Then you shingle some banana slices on top! MmMMM!

Jessica W

How does one make banana reduction and is it lower in calories or comparable?

Tricia Claeys

Hi! I love your site! I think I will be making some bread as gifts for my coworkers. However, I am wondering... Did you use regular buttermilk or light?

Kara

Thanks! I love your ideas!

Janet