Bread Isle - Banana Bread

Hello! This is my first blog. 


I am not sure what to start this with. So I figured, I will just blogged what I made yesterday - Banana Bread :)


I did not plan to make this bread until Monday afternoon, when I received a bunch of bananas! I don't think my husband and I can finished all before they are spoilt so baking them is the solution to get rid of half. 


I baked banana bread before and I loved it. Since my recipe books are not with me, I search the net and found this recipe.


Banana Bread Recipe
(Source: Joy of Baking)


Ingredients


1 cup (115 grams) walnuts or pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped (optional)  (I omitted this because I don't have any at home)
1 3/4 cups (230 grams) all-purpose flour
3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated white sugar (I reduced this to 100grams + 30grams of brown sugar --> my husband is not a big fan of sweet stuffs)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda (I substituted this with 1/2 tsp of baking powder)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I omitted this because I don't have any at home)
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted and cooled (I used about 80grams of unsalted butter + 25grams of margarine)
3 ripe large bananas (approximately 1 pound or 454 grams), mashed well (about 1-1/2 cups) (I used 4 since the bananas I have are quite small)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (I omitted this because I don't have any at home)


Methods 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) and place oven rack to middle position. Butter and flour (or spray with a non stick vegetable/flour spray) the bottom and sides of a 9 x 5 x 3 inch (23 x 13 x 8 cm) loaf pan. Set aside.
2. Place the nuts on a baking sheet and bake for about 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly toasted. Let cool and then chop coarsely.  
3. In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nuts. Set aside.
4. In a medium-sized bowl combine the mashed bananas, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. With a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, lightly fold the wet ingredients (banana mixture) into the dry ingredients just until combined and the batter is thick and chunky. (The important thing is not to over mix the batter. You do not want it smooth. Over mixing the batter will yield tough, rubbery bread). Scrape batter into prepared pan. Bake until bread is golden brown and a  toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 55 to 60 minutes (Mine took about 50mins, I think it is because I have a longer pan then the one suggested). Place on a wire rack to cool and then remove the bread from the pan. Serve warm or at room temperature. This bread can be frozen.

Result

Well, I like it! It is simple yet delicious even with some ingredients missing and substituted. Although my husband mentioned, it is a bit too "sticky". I am guessing that is because of the margarine. I should stick with butter and some walnuts next time! 


I am not sure if I should put this into Afternoon snacks Isle or Breakfast Isle (since I did have this for breakfast)... but I think "Bread" should have a special attention! So this is going into my Bread Isle category.