Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Banana Hazelnut Bread


This recipe is my pick for I Heart Cooking Clubs November Potluck. We love banana bread at our house and I am always up for trying a new recipe even though we have a favorite. I had some extra bananas on their way out so I figured I'd give Tessa's Banana Bread recipe a try and add some hazelnuts, as were suggested in the recipe preface...

Banana Hazelnut Bread
Tessa Kiros -- Apples for Jam page 349

1/4 pound plus 1 tablespoon butter
1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
3 or 4 medium ripe bananas, mashed -- I used 3
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
pinch of salt
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
4 tablespoons warm milk
approx 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts (optional of course, if you are not a nut fan)

Preheat the oven to 350 and butter a 12 by 4 inch loaf pan. I do not have a 12 by 4 inch loaf pan but recently purchased this Kaiser 10 by 4 inch loaf pan so gave it a try with this recipe and it worked perfectly.



Cream the butter and sugar until smooth and then whisk in the mashed bananas. Add the eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt and whisk in well. Sieve in the flour and baking powder and beat until smooth. Mix the baking soda into the milk and stir into the batter. Stir in nuts if using.


Scrape the mixture into the pan...


and bake for about 50 minutes, until the bread is crusty on the top and a skewer poked into the middle comes out clean. Turn out onto a rack to cool. Serve warm or cold, plain or toasted with butter, but allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container, where it will keep well for several days. I doubt it was last that long, our loaf didn't :)


I thought that this was a delicious version of banana bread that I wouldn't hesitate to make again.  It's nice for me to think of humble homey banana bread, a family favorite, being baked in kitchens around the world.  I personally loved the hazelnuts in the bread, but picky husband picked them out, sorry honey! Anyway, the kids liked this one as much as I did, so it was a winner in my book :)

14 comments:

Michelle B said...

I think hazelnuts sound like a nice addition. All I ever add is pecans, and that's kind of boring. Glad it was a hit for you--definitely looks like one.

Kayte said...

It's a beautiful bread...both inside and outside. Nice choice! lol on he hubby picking out the nuts...gotta love that.

luckybunny said...

Oh I love the idea of hazelnuts and bananas together. It is a beautiful bread and a perfect pair!

Heather S-G said...

This sounds awesome...and I love banana bread, so I'm pretty much guaranteed to enjoy it. I love the thought of adding hazelnuts, actually.

NKP said...

It looks perfect! I always have trouble with full-sized quick breads being mushy in the center, but yours is perfectly baked. Lovely!

kitchen flavours said...

Your cake looks perfectly baked! I have not tired hazelnuts in banana cakes before, sounds really good! Your new baking pan is really nice! Have a great weekend!

Deb in Hawaii said...

I have some hazelnuts in the freezer and I want to try this. There are few things as comforting as fresh, warm banana bread. ;-)

Yrene MWCAdventure said...

Your banana bread looks great, and the hazelnuts are a great choice!

Mika said...

I've never thought about putting hazelnuts in banana bread but it sounds amazing! Must try!!

Kim said...

I definitely love the looks of the hazelnuts inside the banana bread. To me, hazelnuts have more of a pronounced flavor than other nuts and I bet they add great flavor and crunch to the bread. Lovely!

Sagiv Miller said...

WOw really looks very delicious! love this blog...! :) and i dont say it to evreyone :)
if you can check my blog i will so happy and comment too in my blog. i am new user :) just 2 days i am in this bussines :) and its look nice!

TeaLady said...

Love BNB but would never have thought to put hazelnuts in it. Bet that is a nice change from walnuts and pecans.

Cindy@NorthofWiarton said...

Enjoyed going through a few of your posts. Nice "twist" with the Hazelnuts. Good thoughts.

Andi said...

Sounds and look delish. I have some banana bread recipes on my blog. Take a look
thewednesdaybaker.blogspot.com andi

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