Holiday Friendly Banana Bread

Dear Friends,

I realize we’re all in the same boat this holiday season, concerned about our dryers mysteriously shrinking our favorite jeans, double chin reappearances, and maintaining a svelte silhouette to impress relatives who can’t  keep comments to themselves. With these things in mind, may I introduce you to your new autumn pre-Thanksgiving and December snacking buddy? Drum roll please… Holiday Friendly Banana Bread.

This bread is the result of experimentation, and may I brag that I think it’s pretty darn good. This is the best “healthy” banana bread I’ve EVER tasted (including this one from Joy the Baker), and certainly ranks among my top 3 banana breads of all time. It makes the perfect mid-morning snack all by itself. Forget butter, forget jam, leave this puppy alone and grab your cutting board.

Banana bread is a fantastic medium for experimentation for a few reasons: it has natural sweeteners that allow for simple sugar reduction, the bananas keep it moist all by themselves, the beloved dense texture welcomes the addition of whole grains. This recipe joins dark brown sugar (unrefined) and a bit of honey to act as great flavor agents and sweeteners. I added whole wheat flour to AP flour for fiber and a bit of nuttiness that I love. Next time, I think I’ll try adding oats. No butter, oil, or shortening is necessary, as the bananas themselves keep this loaf moist and cozy to the last slice. Enjoy!
Best wishes for a bananalicious week!
P.S. This bread received the prestigious Husband Seal of Approval                Jelli

Holiday Friendly Banana Bread

2 eggs
1/2c. buttermilk
1/4c. honey
1/4 cup brown sugar
1t. rum or vanilla
1 1/2c. banana mash
1 c. AP flour
1 c. wheat flour
2t. baking powder
1/2t. baking soda
3/4t. salt

Preheat oven to 350F. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Pour into a greased loaf pan and bake in center of oven 45 minutes, or until toothpick inserted removes clean. Cool on wire rack and chow down.

**Note: Next time I will try it with 2c. banana mash and with the removal of the honey to see if this makes it even more healthy. Personally, I think the sweetness of an extra banana will prove to be perfect here.