Banana Walnut Bread

My new rotation has started and I have finally settled in to Yardley, PA. I anticipate many more days of baking and cooking as there is nothing to do here.. seriously, I live next to a farm. Great.

Now that I've moved to my new apartment, I finally was able to buy my standing mixer!! You can ask anybody.. I've been wanting a standing mixer for months now! 

I especially wanted it when my hand mixer broke right as I was making my Banana Walnut Bread a few weeks ago..... Good thing I'm really buff and can mix bread batter by hand. 

The recipe follows (courtesy of Food Network):

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• 1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for preparing the pan
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 very ripe bananas, peeled, and mashed with a fork (about 1 cup)
• 1/2 cup toasted walnut pieces

Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt into a medium bowl, set aside. Whisk the eggs and vanilla together in a liquid measuring cup with a spout, set aside. Lightly brush a 9 by 5 by 3-inch loaf pan with butter. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or with an electric hand-held mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually pour the egg mixture into the butter while mixing until incorporated. Add the bananas (the mixture will appear to be curdled, so don't worry), and remove the bowl from the mixer.

With a rubber spatula, mix in the flour mixture until just incorporated. Fold in the nuts and transfer thebatter to the prepared pan. Bake for 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. Cool the bread in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Turn the bread out of the pan and let cool completely on the rack. Wrap in plastic wrap. The banana bread is best if served the next day.

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So most of you know that I usually bake these goods and rarely eat them myself. (I more enjoy the baking itself than the treats that result from it!) Well this time it was different!

I usually only have a bite of my creations and bring them into work the next day to share with a few coworkers... Well after my first bite, I did not want to share. The slightly crispy crust on the outside paired with the sweet, moist bread on the inside was delicious. The banana flavor was out of this world and the small walnut pieces added a bit of extra crunch you wouldn't expect!

Such a simple recipe (and yes, I mixed this by hand!!!) with amazing, delicious results. 

Being that this is Eric's favorite, I would have to say that I am putting this one in the permanent recipe pile and will be making this again and again!

Give it a try- it will surely be a hit!

Difficulty: Easy

Taste: A

Time: 1 hour 20 minutes