Banana Bread

December 1, 2010  •  Category:

 

I have tried probably hundreds of banana bread recipes over the years; this is the last one I tried, a recipe I read on the inside cover of a Reynolds parchment paper box and adapted to my own taste.


As a result this banana bread is not very sweet and, while rich, a bit rustic; this is due to the whole wheat flour.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup of whole-wheat flour
  • 3 medium very ripe bananas, mashed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup of light olive oil (or any oil)
  • 1/4 cup of milk
  • 2 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • dash of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, dash of fresh nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup each of golden raisins, pine nuts and chocolate chips (bittersweet)
  • 3/4 cup of sugar
  • 1/4 cup of grape molasses (can substitute maple syrup)

METHOD:

  1. Soak the pine nuts and raisins in one cup of boiling or very hot water for 30 minutes or longer. When ready to incorporate to the batter, drain them on a sieve.
  2. Place the flours, dash of salt, baking powder, spices and sugar in the bowl of a food processor. Process for 30 seconds till all these dry ingredients are mixed.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the eggs, oil, grape molasses or maple syrup, milk and mashed bananas. Add this mixture to the dry mixture in the food processor, pulsing until combined. Add the drained raisins, pine nuts and chocolate chips.
  4. Pour the batter in a loaf pan, lined with parchment or baking paper. Bake in a preheated 350F (180 C) oven for about 45 to 55 minutes, until a small knife inserted in the middle of the cake comes out dry. Cool, serve.

Comments

39 Comments  •  Comments Feed

  1. Hélène (Cannes) says:

    Je n’ai plus qu’à essayer le tien ! ;o)
    Bisous
    Hélène

  2. Nadji says:

    Et moi, j’ai très peu fait de gâteaux à la banane.
    Je note ta version.
    A bientôt.

  3. Namitha says:

    Love banana bread, as you said I’ve tried many variations too, but not this one…Seems like more healthy with whole wheat in it 🙂

  4. Priya says:

    Banana bread looks soo healthy with all those nuts and raisins..

  5. lisaiscooking says:

    The raisins, pine nuts, and chocolate chips sound great in this! I like mixing in some whole wheat flour when baking too. Looks like a delicious banana bread!

  6. Amber @Almost Vegan says:

    I love WW flour in banana bread. And, as usual, I love your use of the grape molasses!

  7. Katerina says:

    Now this is a special banana bread because I see that you added chocolate chips too. Banana and chocolate go great together.

  8. Jamie says:

    The addition of grape molasses is so intriguing! Your version of banana bread seems less cake-like and more all-purpose (both to accompany sweet and savory) than mine. I love seeing and trying new banana bread recipes and I’ll try this one.

  9. Faith says:

    A beautiful loaf, Joumana! I especially love your mix-ins of golden raisins, pine nuts, and chocolate — great combo!

  10. Nadia says:

    mmm who doesn’t love banana bread! I love your variation-the whole wheat flour, pine nuts, grape molasses, etc. I can tell it’s a winner. 🙂

  11. Lyndsey says:

    I know I would like this one for sure. I always use less sugar when I make breads like this and some desserts. (my aunt said my pumpkin pie didn’t taste as sweet as they usually do) lol! I would love to try this one, it looks good!

  12. Ann says:

    Clever substitution of the grape molasses! I too have been on a quest for an ideal banana bread recipe, some of them are too cake like. This looks healthy and earthy.

  13. peter says:

    I love your posh banana bread with pine nuts in them!

  14. Diane says:

    I love banana bread, now you have reminded me I must make some. I will try this recipe it looks fantastic. Diane

  15. Adelina says:

    hum…, whole wheat flour… looks good to me. I am only used to one version which is banana with raisins, but love the added flavor of pine nuts and chocolate chips… not to forget grape molasses. wow!

  16. Rachana says:

    I love banana bread. Adding grape molasses is a lovely idea.

  17. FOODESSA says:

    So this is the banana bread you were delightfully finishing up every last morsel from?
    I’m a bit like you…made tons of recipes and always on the look out for the best one. I like the fact that grape molasses were used…it must surely enhance the flavour quite interestingly :o) I’ve put many nuts in my banana breads and yet never splurged on pine nuts…must give it a try sometime. Thanks Joumana.

    Flavourful wishes,
    Claudia

  18. tigerfish says:

    I have tried making ZERO banana breads! :O I like your addition of golden raisins to the bread.

  19. Katie @Cozydelicious says:

    Oooh, I love the addition of pine nuts. And whole wheat flour – a hearty banana bread is very appealing!

  20. sophia says:

    grape molasses in banana bread! Interesting…and pine nuts are fancy! I’ve tried hundreds of banana bread, too, but have yet to find one that I make consistently over and over again.

  21. SYLVIA says:

    Warm from the oven or room temperature the banana bread is loved by everyone. Serve this upscale spin of the healthy banana cake to Santa when he arrives, delight your family along with his warmth and laughter, then find a comfy chair and be joyful.
    This is an outstanding nutritious cake recipe Joumana.

  22. Vita says:

    I made it yesterday evening and we have it today morning! It is, easy and healthy and we like it.

  23. Sue Stephens says:

    I have not heard of grape molassses before – I am intrigued! Thanks for the recipe 🙂

  24. Cherine says:

    I love the addition of pine nuts. Must be really good!

  25. Caffettiera says:

    I never baked a banana bread on the other hand! My man loves bananas so much that they never reach baking stage.. the only time I managed to have a very ripe banana, after holidays, I made some lovely banana and buttermilk pancakes I can’t wait to do again. I never found myself able to do that, in two years. I’d love to try this one as well.

  26. Susan says:

    I’ve been afraid to depart from my favorite banana bread recipe but this one just may be the one to try! It sounds wonderful with the pine nuts and chocolate!

  27. deana says:

    Another great use for grape molasses… must pick some up… is it much different from vincott0 or the same thing?

    • Joumana says:

      Deana: It is not the same, although it is similar; the grape molasses in Lebanon is boiled for a few hours (not 24 hours) with some chalk (I need to get the exact name for it!) that gets rid of bacterias and any acidity; the grapes are taken to the village press and it is done there; the resulting molasses is thick and (depending on the grapes used) sometimes golden-caramel colored. This was the sweetener used in the olden days: I have used it for making cookies, cakes, granola, breads, rolls, and now banana bread; I am trying to use less white sugar in my diet, as it has been proven to be detrimental. The grape molasses is totally pure and healthy, especially if made in the villages by local folks!
      Here in the US I buy it at the middle-eastern grocer. There are several brands available.

  28. Joanne says:

    Rustic sounds good to me! And less sweet makes it even better for breakfast!

  29. Heavenly Housewife says:

    I never get tired of banana bread and all the different recipes. If its not that sweet, it might be nice toasted with a bit of butter.
    *kisses* HH

  30. My Carolina Kitchen says:

    What lovely banana bread and what a great way to use up bananas that are starting to turn. Great photos too.
    Sam

  31. Heni says:

    love that you used grape molasses and olive oil joumana!

  32. 5 Star Foodie says:

    This looks like a terrific banana bread recipe! I really like the addition of raisins, pine nuts and chocolate chips!

  33. grace says:

    glorious! i love the golden raisins, and the pine nuts are a unique and marvelous addition. lovely loaf indeed.

  34. Hannah says:

    One can never have too many banana bread recipes! Also, I’ve wanted to write to you all day… I just found carob molasses while on holiday in Melbourne! The first thing I did after snatching it off the shelf was think of you 🙂

  35. Julie says:

    Ce pain doit faire un petit-déjeuner énergétique parfait pour le matin!! Je note l’idée lorsqu’il me restera des bananes bien mûres à cuisiner! Bisous

  36. Buck Field says:

    I can’t wait to try this! You really have alot of fans, don’t you?

  37. Joy says:

    Hi Joumana – have made your banana bread and it’s gone down a treat. I’ve made others of your recipes – as you can see on my blog http://things-of-joy.blogspot.com/. Thanks for your very tasty sharing!!

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