I was absolutely delighted to get so many fantastic entries for the Banana Bread Bakeoff. I was a little worried as to whether I would get much of a response-it's a little like having a party and hoping everyone will show!
Here is a round up of the fabulously inventive Banana Bread recipes I received. Yes that's right, all 79 of them! From the diversity and inventiveness of the recipes, it just looked to me like the Ultimate Banana Bread collection came to my party. It seems like Banana Bread is not just Banana bread but the potential to be so much more than a plain loaf. For those who don't have a blog but are still devoted foodies, I've published their recipes, for those with blogs, I've linked to the story itself so that any Banana Bread lover can have the perfect recipe at their fingertips. Enjoy the viewing but a word or warning, have a piece of Banana bread ready or at least some bananas ripening in a paper bag. After seeing them all you'll be ever so glad.
At first I thought I could bake them all but when we got to 60 I knew that a poll was the best way to go because if I baked 79 Banana Breads it would take me 2 months to bake them all and almost 2 years to eat them and would put me off bananas for life! So once you've drooled through the incredible list of entries, please vote for your favourite Banana Bread, the one you feel should win the bake off and of course feel free to comment on why you thought it was your favourite in the comments section. The prize is of course, a DIY cupcake set that Ive put together featuring 25 mini pleated souffle cups (like the ones I used here), 12 royal icing flowers, a cake tester and sprinkles. Shipped to anywhere in the world!
Thanks again to all of the wonderful bakers that took the time to enter their precious Banana Babies, you all deserve a prize as far as I am concerned! And if I've inadvertently missed anyone out, please email me at info{AT}notquitenigella{dot}com.
Love,
NQN
xxx
Catherine from Clever Monkey Studio baked a Siamese Loaf aka Banana bread with pineapple and curry. Wow, what a stunning and gorgeously unusual combination with curry and pineapple tones added to the banana flavour. This is a must try simply based on the ingredients!
Reem from Surry Hills, Sydney came up with a non fat version which I know that some will be very eager to make. A lot of people prefer a healthier loaf (myself included) and I can't wait to try this. As she doesn't have a blog she has provided me with the recipe:
I'm still getting used to my new oven in our new place and find it's really hot. So this bread need an extra ten minutes for the middle to be cooked properly, but consequently the top was somewhat "browned". This, even though I had the oven turned down by 20 degrees! New oven thermometer for me!
Anyway, the top is a bit flattened as it rose so much it hit the rack above! Oh well, smells fab, and tastes so good!
This particular loaf was made with walnuts instead of the recipe's almonds. Now this is very bready, rather than cakey, and actually quite a good breakie bread, as it has no fat, and not too much sugar. Great toasted too.
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup Rolled Oats
300ml Milk ( I use skim)
up to 3 overripe bananas, mashed
240g Self Raising Flour (You Can Use Wholemeal)
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/3 cup Soft Brown Sugar
1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
3 tablespoons Honey
1 Lightly Beaten Egg
roughly 85g Roughly Chopped walnuts
Method
Put the oats in a bowl, pour the milk over them and leave to soak for up to 30 minutes. ( I never leave them that long, but if you do, the oats are obviously much softer)
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F/Gas 4).
Lightly grease and line a 1 kg (2 lb 4 oz) loaf tin with baking paper.
Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl and stir in the rolled oats, banana, sugar, cinnamon, honey, egg and walnuts. Mix together well.
Spoon the mixture into the tin, level the top and sprinkle with the extra almonds. Bake the loaf for 45 minutes, or until it is golden brown on top and cooked through.
Leave it to cool a little in the tin before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Recipe from Every Day by Bill Granger, published by Murdoch Books.
Jamie from Jamie's Kitchen baked a gorgeous wholewheat and sour cream Banana Bread. I love how tall her loaf is and how she has used wholewheat flour (to make it healthier) and sour cream (to make it moist) and the chocolate chips don't go astray either!
Sinead from Airy Fairy Cupcakes baked a gorgeous Banana Bread with honey roasted pecans using a recipe from Ireland's Avoca Cafe. The closeup shots of the cross section are mouth watering and I can only imagine how delicious honey roasted pecans are!
Airy Fairy's Sinead then, due to popular demand, baked a second loaf, this time with butterscotch swirled through it. Bananas and butterscotch...and look at that glistening top! It's enough to make you want to eat your computer screen.
Robin from Made with Love made a lovely marbled version that had me thinking "Great idea? Why didn't I ever think of that?". It's also pretty light on fat which is also good and uses a egg replacer for those who don't eat eggs.
Kate from Books and Bake made two versions, one using a health bar and one with a chopped up chocolate bar. I love the mottling of the chocolate and banana bread batter and it definitely looked worth the trip to the store for eggs!
Sarah from What Smells So Good came up with the catchily named Total Gluttony Banana Bread. If that isn't calling me name I don't know what is! I love the calorie and fat count at the end too :)
Lindsey from Noodle Nights and Muffin Mornings came up with a sinfully good sounding chocolate and banana bread with peanut butter glaze. As she pointed out, it's the perfect excuse to eat chocolate for breakfast!
Steph from A Whisk and a Spoon made this lush banana and apple bread. I love the chunks of apple which would make it undoubtedly moist and the closeups are beautiful!'
Rosie from Rosie Bakes a 'Peace' of Cake ](http://rosiebakesapeaceofcake.blogspot.com/2008/04/banana-bread-with-cinnamon-pecan.html)came up with a nutty version using cinnamon, pecans and hazelnuts. She also included honey to add to the aromatics. Mmmm!
Celine from Black Salt came up with her British version of a friend's Banana Bread using Muscovado sugar, light acacia honey and wholemeal flour cut into cute little bite sized pieces. Nice styling!
Nilmandra from Soy and Pepper did a new and improved Banana Bread with a crispy crust and soft inner which was more breadlike than her previous banana breads. Well done!
Bhavani from Snap, Eat, Burp made a lovely moist looking banana bread. She originally baked this with a friend in a portable oven! And like the best Banana Bread, she couldn't stop eating it and it's almost gone.
Tracey from Rah Cha Chow called her version "banana loaf cake with tonnes of bananas". Hers is a low fat version and she gives baking directions for those who like to make smaller loaves. Smaller loaves are a great idea to give as gifts.
Sharon from Newly Wed Cook](http://newlywedcooking.blogspot.com/2008/04/chocolate-and-banana-marbled-bread.html) also did a lovely marbled banana bread. The marbling inside looks wonderfully patterned!
Dave from Sketchy's Kitchen made an interestingly named Cacao Nibbed Banana Bread which had a teaspoon of rum in it which never goes astray!
Renee from Dulwich Hill in Sydney doesn't have a blog but she was kind enough to share her recipe for Banana Bran Bread with us and because it has All Bran and bananas in it, well it is practically a health food!
This recipe is a modified version of Margaret Fultons recipe for Bran Muffins. The resulting banana bread has a lovely malty flavour which results from the All Bran and a richness from the golden syrup. Including All Bran also means that you can even try to convince yourself that it is healthy!
2 cups flour
1 ½ tsp baking soda
1 cup All Bran
2/3 cup sultanas
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 tsp salt
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon mixed spice
1 egg
1 ½ cups buttermilk
½ cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
¼ cup golden syrup
2 ripe bananas, mashed
Preheat oven to 180°C (if using fan-forced) or 200 °C (for no fan).
Sift the flour, soda, salt and spices into a large bowl. Stir in the All Bran, brown sugar and the sultanas.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, oil and the golden syrup. Stir in the buttermilk and water and then add the mixture to the dry ingredients. Stir well to combine and then leave in the fridge overnight to allow the All Bran to soften.
In the morning, stir the mixture well and then mix through the 2 mashed bananas. Spoon mixture into greased miniture loaf pans (get dimensions) until they are ½ - ¾ full and bake for 18-20 mins. I think it is best eaten warm with butter, but it is also great sliced when cold and then toasted.
Jenny from Picky Palate made White Chocolate and Cinnamon Chip Island Style Banana Bread Mini Loaves. Look at that delicious dripping icing with coconut, white chocolate and cinnamon chips!
Tarah from Genesis of a Cook created a Loaded Banana bread. At first glance I thought it was a fruit cake type of banana bread with red and green glace cherries but no, it's something better entirely-it's loaded up with all of the good things like Peanut M&Ms!
Chris from Mele Cotte came up with a banana bread with just the right amount of moistness due to the sour cream. She also passes on some good tips on arresting or speeding up the ripening of bananas which I agree with and that have worked for me in the past. Drooling and learning!
Grace from A Southern Grace's contribution didn't actually use any bananas but rather banana flavoured baby food instead. Interesting! She also added in some chocolate coated ginger which you can see in the picture above. Love the close up texture pics!
Molly from Molly's recipes gives us a banana cake recipe filled with dried fruit, nuts and rum. Sounds very sophisticated.
Amanda from Like Sprinkles on a Cupcake made a blueberry and lemon banana bread. Sounds like it would be wonderfully moist with the blueberries and banana!
Stephanie from Cooking in An Apron's version had dried cranberries inside (mmm cranberries) and she also helpfully gave cooking times for mini muffins, large muffins, mini loaf pans and loaf pans.
Claire from Melbourne Gastronome did a variation of bills banana bread but added in some shredded coconut and served it with passionfruit butter. Did someone say passionfruit butter? My favourite butter of them all and brilliant idea pairing it with banana bread.
Megan Renee from London Calling managed to snag 18 bananas for the princely sum of £1 so she made a banana jam (great idea) and a luscious sounding Maple Walnut banana bread.
This was Natalie from Short and Sweet's first food event-I'm sure it will be the start of many for her. Hers in a Banana nut bread with Jell-O Instant Banana Cream Pudding & Pie Filling and a whole cup of pecans-mmmm!
Steph from Steph Chows made a low fat low sugar version as the original recipe called for 1 cup of sugar. She substituted apple sauce for butter and Splenda for sugar and is happy to report that it's still moist and delicious!
Maria from Foodie Wanderings had a most indulgent ingredient, Lindt chocolate squares. She originally wanted to use Lindor balls but the shop was out (lol it wasn't me that bought them out, honest!). She also has a little slideshow which you can watch!
Dejah from Colonial Wife came up with a great idea-banana bread French toast! That just oozes yum and a definite must try!
Karen from A Parently Speaking's gorgeous golden loaf was Nigella Lawson's Banana Bread recipe and she loved the plump raisins best- me too!
Pixie from You Say Tomahto, I Say Tomayto did a lovely version using 4 cups of strawberries. Sounds and looks gorgeous doesn't it?
Maria from the Goddess's Kitchen did another fruit and banaa combo-this time with apple called "Mom's Banana Apple bread". It wasn't her mum but Sweet Melissa's from the cookbook of the same name. I ahve some apples just waiting for this!
Adrasteia from An Empty Stomach is the Best Cook doesn't like Banana bread with nuts or chunky bits so for her the Sour Cream Banana Bread was the perfect choice. I think Sour cream is great added to everything (except possibly fashion)!
Arundathi from My Food Blog made a Banana bread with walnuts for a Bloggers meet-a great idea and I'm sure everyone appreciated getting the adorably wrapped bread!
Raaga from The Singing Chef made a lactose free version with jaggery in celebration of her blog turning 1 year old. Congratulations and Happy Firs Birthday! :)
Cynthia from Rustic Cookin' baked portion controlled muffin sized Banana, Chocolate, walnut and buckwheat breads with the chocolate melting deliciously! Portion control is definitely a good thing when it's this delicious.
Jamie from Flavor Pantry came up with a mouthwatering sounding chocolate chip banana bread with coconut. Like good banana bread, it didn't last long!
Val from More Than Burnt Toast made a "Crater Banana Bread" which was a gorgeously layered banana bread. I love the idea of layering a banana bread, it looks great and would taste great too!
Medhaa from Cook With Love made an eggless Banana bread which is a great idea for those who can't eat eggs due to allergies or diet preferences. And like some of the best recipes, it was passed down by her mother!
Mansi from Fun and Food made a delicious looking Chocolate Banana Bread, doesn't it look like the most moist chocolate cake? You could feed that to your kids and they'd never know there was fruit in there! There's also cranberries and poppyseeds which sound like a great addition.
Smita from Smita Serves You Right made Nigella's Banana Bread recipe with a few modifications. Previously, she'd tried a whole lot of different ones but stopped looking after she made this. It looks so good!
Lisa from Jersey Girl Cooks made a lush sounding Brown Sugar Apple Banana Bread. I adore brown sugar, it gives food a richer, more caramel flavour and goes so well with Banana Bread!
Dixie from Runaway Story Magic made a Jamaican Banana bread-I love the range of banana breads that people are sending in, and the limes, pecans, coconut and chocolate sound to die for.
Tina from Wycked Sweets made a Butterscotch Macadamia nut banana bread jam packed with delicious macadamias and butterscotch chips. No wonder it got the seal of approval from her co-workers! She deserves a promotion!
Amber from Amber's Delectable Delights made a Caramel pecan and Coconut Banana Bread. Even though she was disappointed that the caramel sunk to the bottom, I offer another perspective-the gorgeous caramel rich bottom is just another delicious layer to the bread!
Giz from Equal Opportunity Kitchen made quick work out of her banana bread declaring it her easiest, fastest and tastiest banana bread ever. We like easy, fast and tasty!
Terri from Faking It Gluten Free Style made a Gluten free banana bread after perfecting a gluten free loaf for her son. In this, she got the ultimate accolade from him: "Awesome"!
Suzana from Home Gourmets made a stunning looking banana bread using muscovado sugar and liquid caramel. I love the glazed effect and the banana slices on top!
Sandie from Inn Cuisine made a Banana Pecan Oat Bread packed with raisins, craisins and pecans. She suggests pairing it with Blueberry jam which I wholeheartedly agree with!
Kevin from Closet Cooking made a fascinating sounding Curry Chocolate Chip Banana bread. This is the second curried banana bread (see Clever Monkey Studio, the first entry for the other one). I love the idea of the curry in a sweet banana bread!
Kim from ICTTYWYLT (I Can't Talk To You When You're Like That) came up with a lovely sounding Fig and Banana recipe. I am of the thinking that figs improve just about anything!
Dana from Dulce Do Blog made a delicious nutty banana bread with a strong banana taste courtesy of the high banana content (2 cups, 4 bananas). It looks deliciously nutty too!
Kim from A Yankee in a Southern Kitchen made a Coconut Banana bread with Key Lime Glaze. I do not have to tell you how luscious that looks and the addition of rum to the coconut makes it distinctly tropical.
Rita from Mochachocolata-Rita made two breads, an Ebony one (top) and an Ivory one (bottom). The Ebony one being one with chocolate chips and peanut butter and the Ivory one without. Love the contrast!
Ayin from Flower in my Kitchen made a Banana Yogurt bread-great photography makes this look even more mouth watering!
Ushka from ushkace.livejournal.com made a lovely banana and honey tea bread fortified with extra thick honey. Honey and bananas=awesome.
Anna from Annabanana was an appropriately named rather busy baker, making two delicious banana breads. One Jamaican version and one regular version with a sweet and crusty top!
Mary from Melting Your Mouth took advantage of a special on Mangoes to make a Banana Mango bread inspired by Indian Chai tea. Mmm mangoes, bananas and Indian chai. Sound interesting!
Rosa from Cakes by Rosa made a delicious coconut sprinkled Coconut Banana Bread. Her last words were wise "*although, if its health food youre after, banana bread is probably unlikely to satisfy your criteria anyway; in fact, if youre trying to steer clear of sugar, Id suggest youre reading the wrong blog." :lol: That's also true for her delicious cake blog!
Kathy from Brisbane doesn't have a blog but she shares her delicious recipe for Banana Bread and a picture with us, given to her by her friend Beth. Call it a recipe being passed down by friends as opposed to by mums:
Beth's Banana Bread
2 cup self rising flour
2 med bananas sliced thin
½ cup butter softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
¼ tsp vanilla
¼ cup cold water
Beat bananas until almost smooth. Cream butter and sugar, beat in eggs one at a time until fluffy, beat in vanilla and bananas, add flour, blend well. Add water and blend.
Bake in greased pan at 180 degrees C for 65 to 70 minutes.
Belle from Minty Petitpois made a Banana bread which satisfied her criteria of not having too many ingredients, not creaming butter and getting the elusive mum's approval!
Michelle from When Baker Barks gave us two Banana Breads, first a mouthwatering looking Banana Bread with caramlised walnuts and caramel icing. The rivulets of caramel look delicious! Secondly a chunky Banana Bread, in a more traditional footing, drier and more bread like and ideally served with a cup of coffee.
Gretchen from Canela & Comino made a lovely Banana Bread with dark chocolate giving it that final marbling flourish.
Lysy from Munchkin Mail came up with a brilliant concept-the Pushmi_Pullyu Banana bread. She had two recipes that wanted to bake so she baked both, a Marbled Chocolate Banana Bread at the "head" end and a Spiced Honey Banana Bread at the "tail" end.
Alexandra from Addicted Sweet Tooth came up with a beauteous Banana Bread. I love the striped detail and this is the kind of thing that makes me want to say, with a NY accent of course, Fancy Schmancy!
Trisha from The Zest made a hearty and nutty Banana Oat Nut Bread made which she suggests you could take over, wrapped in a tea towel to your neighbour. I wish I had neighbours like that!
Mara from Lick that Spatula made a Banana Bread with pumpkin pie spice, coconut and rum. And to top it off, she served it with Lemon curd cream!
Dhang from Dhanggit's Kitchen made a Banana, Nutella, Maple Syrup bread. Mmm I can just tell from the name that it tastes good. You just cannot go wrong with those ingredients!
Fiona fom Fifi La Cupcake made an updated version of Banana Tea Cake from her Mum's 1981 Good Housekeeping South Africa magazine! Love that cross section!
Johanna from Green Gourmet Giraffe, combined making her Banana Bread with Mother's day and used a recipe handed down to her mum-one she calls "without distractions". The butter melting looks rather come hither and eat me!
Libby from The Allergic Kid made Banana Grape Nut muffins, a recipe without nuts, eggs or dairy yet still manages to satisfy taste. Great job!
Abby from Confabulation in the Kitchen made a Chocolate Banana bread so popular that when she took it into work, it was gone in an hour. Good time to ask for a promotion!
Carrie from Carrie's Kitchen Creations made a Banana Cranberry Bread, her vibrant way of spicing up a plain banana bread-and breakfast for a week!
Tracy from Tracey Food made an aromatic Banana Bread with 1 cup of coffee, Amaretto, cinnamon and nutmeg. She's provided step by step pictures too which I'd to do myself but I don't often have a chance to.
Ashley from Ashley's Travel named her a "Clean Out your Pantry" Banana Bread as she is moving and needed to ensure that her pantry was dutifully plundered. To this end, she added apricot preserves, maple syrup, chocolate chips and peanut butter.
So, which Banana Bread tickled your fancy? I realise that's a difficult question, there are so many fabulous recipes to choose from. The poll closes in 14 days on Monday 2nd of June, 8am AEST which gives you enough time to even bake the one or ones that take your fancy should you wish to. Good luck and enjoy and thanks again to all of these wonderful entrants! :)
***THIS POLL IS NOW CLOSED, THANK YOU FOR VOTING! CONGRATULATIONS TO RENEE FROM DULWICH HILL :) ***
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