Banana Nut Bread with Whipped Honey Butter

I'm not a huge walnut fan... except when they are coated in caramelized goodness or in banana bread.  I am a firm believer in not limiting yourself to the norm- so, I once made this bread with peanuts.  On Mike's morning drive to work he called me (having left the house with a slice to have on the way to work...) :

Mike, 'are there peanuts in this?'
Me, 'Yes.'
Mike, 'In banana bread?  Peanuts in banana bread?'
Me, 'Yes.  I don't like walnuts, I didn't have any pecans, so I used peanuts.'
Mike, 'um... ok.  it's good.  i guess.  just strange to have peanuts in banana bread.  right?'

Here's the recipe with 'nuts' as an ingredient... go ahead, use whatever kind you want!

Banana Nut Bread
with whipped honey butter

4 overripe bananas
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup nuts, finely chopped

Peel the bananas.  Mash them roughly with a fork - leaving some chunky pieces for texture.  Place half of them in a KitchenAid fitted with the whisk attachment.  Set aside the other half of the bananas.

Add sugar to the KitchenAid, whip them together for 3 minutes until a frothy mixture forms.  Add butter, eggs and vanilla.  Mix together until combined.  Add flour, soda, salt, remaining bananas and 1/3 cup of nuts.  Stir until just combined.  Do not over mix.

Pour into a greased and floured (or sprayed) loaf pan.  Sprinkle the remaining nuts on top.  Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes to 1 hour.

Wrap the bread in parchment paper, add a little Whipped Honey Butter and you have a great gift!  Here are the step-by-step directions for creating the Breakfast Basket Gift.


Or... try the muffin version!

For more baking inspiration - see my mini Baking Pantry Upgrade... it will make you want to head to The Container Store!