Monday 23 February 2015

Banana, Walnut and Almond Bread

Banana and Walnut Bread

Bananas have a mind of their own in our house. You can buy the greenest of bananas when doing the weekly shop and within two days they are all freckly and on their way out. Our house is a green to yellow cultivation centre. As a foodie I hate throwing food out, so if I can salvage it and make something from it then I will.

So with bananas in mind, when they have passed their best I now make banana, walnut and almond bread. It is easy to make and delicious with butter spread on it for a winter treat.


For this recipe you will need the following ingredients:
Banana and Walnut cake
Banana and Walnut Bread
For the health conscious amongst us you can switch out the white flour for wholemeal or spelt flour, which is easier to digest and has less gluten. The sugar can be swapped out for agave nectar or honey. Remember if using agave nectar the cooking temperature will need to be reduced.

Preheat oven to 180c, if using a fan oven reduce to 160c and if using a gas oven use setting 3.

To prepare your 2lb loaf tin (23x13cm), you can line with parchment paper, or grease with a little butter. I personally prefer to use traditional loaf tin liners, they are great for transporting and serving the cake too.

Banana Bread
I have been waiting to use my new KitchenAid since Christmas and this seemed like the perfect excuse to get it out. 
Kitchen Aid
How gorgeous is this, I have so many things that I want to make and exciting recipes to share. 

Taking the light brown sugar and butter mix together slowly. For ease and to get an even mix I like to use the electric mixer. 
Banana and Walnut Bread
When mixed thoroughly add the eggs, a small amount at a time. 
Add your mashed bananas. 
Banana and Walnut Bread
When thoroughly mixed begin to add your sieved flour and baking powder by folding it into the mixture. Don't rush at adding the flour take your time.
Banana and Walnut BreadBanana and Walnut Bread
If you are adding nuts this is the time to add the walnuts and almonds to the mix. 
Banana and Walnut Bread
Add your vanilla extract at this point too. Make sure you buy a good quality Vanilla extract, essence is not the same. 
Banana and walnut Bread
Pour the mixture into the tin and bake for 50 minutes. 
Banana and walnut bread
To test if the cake is ready use a skewer if it returns with no cake mixture your all done. Leave your cake to cool outside of the tin for twenty minutes.
Grab a seat, sit for a while and enjoy a nice slice of cake with a lovely cup of tea. 

What's your favourite cake? Any recipes that you want me to share on my next cooking post?

 photo foodieforce_32.jpg

28 comments:

  1. I am SO jealous of that Kitchenaid, she's a babe. Looks like a delicious recipe! M x

    www.thenextactivity.com

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    1. A kitchen Aid has been on the lust list for an age and now that I have one I love it even more. This cake recipe is yummy you need to give its a go Lucy x

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  2. This looks lovely! My housemate makes banana bread all the time.

    Corinne x
    www.skinnedcartree.com

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    1. It is a lovely treat. You sound like you live with the best house mate they sound like they make the best food Lucy x

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  3. Ahh I have exactly the same problem with bananas in my house too - I can never eat them quickly enough! I LOVE banana bread though, so it's the perfect excuse to make some! This looks great :)

    Etta xx
    www.thebrunchdiaries.co.uk

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    1. Banana bread is great, I am experimenting at the moment with what combinations really work. Chocolate banana bread is great, also loving white chocolate and macadamia nuts Lucy

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  4. I love banana bread, always seem to have the ingredients to make it too. Love the addition of almonds.

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    1. It is a great recipe because when you feel hungry for a cake chances are you will have the ingredients Lucy

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  5. Good Lord I love banana and walnut bread!!! I eat bananas every day of my life. Addicted. x

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    Replies
    1. Banana bread is a great recipe as I always have the ingredients in the house and you can make so many variations Lucy

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  6. ahhh Lucy I am banana and almond lover so this bread could be the best one for me. I love homemade cookies :) Thanks for sharing with us, darling! Liuba x

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  7. Banana, walnut, and almond bread! That sounds like an amazing combination! Thanks for this recipe.

    Denise
    www.fashionloveletters.com

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  8. What a great way to use up bananas, my favourite cake would be anything involving chocolate

    Suze | LuxuryColumnist

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    1. Same chocolate is so wonderful in any form especially in a cake Lucy x

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  9. I absolutely hate bananas, but, weirdly, I do like banana bread. This looks lovely, I love that there are walnuts and almond in the mixture too :) xx

    Toasty

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    1. That is unusual Beth, The nuts add a great additional texture Lucy x

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  10. This looks lovely ! I've got a go-to banana bread recipe I always use (it's more like a cake) but now you've given me the idea to add nuts. Such a good addition to most things!
    <a href="www.myfroley.com/“>Alex | My Froley</a>

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    1. You will have to share the cake recipe with us. I am going to keep trying different ingredients to see what wonderful combinations work Lucy

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  11. yes yes!! banana bread for the win!!! :D

    Animated Confessions

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  12. Banana bread is up there in my favourites :D So useful when you need to rid over ripe bananas & I love the crunch added nuts provide :D

    Style Sunrise ☀

    :)
    x

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    1. It is a great way to use up food that would otherwise go in the bin. Lucy x

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  13. This looks amazing Lucy! Rob is allergic to bananas and walnuts though so may just have to make me one of these just for myself! I made an amazing blueberry and cream cheese frosting cake the other day from my Hummingbird Bakery book. So good. Also, anything with chocolate or toffee is a winner for me.

    Marie X
    titchytombie.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. I haven't ever met anyone allergic to bananas so that is a first. The Hummingbird Bakery is so yummy Chocolate and toffee is always a winner Lucy x

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  14. Mmmm, this looks so yummy! I could probably eat that entire thing, to be honest, I really love banana bread! It's tough to pick a favorite type of cake since I'm generally a huge fan of any type of cake! Carrot, red velvet, vanilla, chocolate, can I just have it all?

    xo, Dolce // http://www.mydailysweet.com/
    Leave me a comment; I'm always looking for new blogs to follow!

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    Replies
    1. It is a nice yummy snack. I too love carrot cake, red velvet and lemon drizzle. You can have it all Lucy

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  15. I LOVE banana bread!!! One of my favorite treats!!! I will also chop overripe bananas into fourths, and pop them in the freezer to use in smoothies. In a freezer bag first of course! :D

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