Hearty Fruit & Nut Banana Bread
Indulge in the delightful flavors of this Hearty Fruit & Nut Banana Bread, a cherished recipe from the Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook that I've personalized over the years. This moist and flavorful bread can be made with your choice of dried blueberries, cranberries, or even diced apricots, allowing you to tailor it to your tastes. Each loaf is infused with the natural sweetness of ripe bananas and enriched with crunchy walnuts or pecans, making it a perfect snack or breakfast option. Enjoy it warm with a pat of butter, or slice it for a quick, nutritious treat any time of the day!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Flour
2 cups (All-purpose flour, sifted if desired)
Baking Powder
1 1/2 teaspoons (Dry ingredient)
Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon (Dry ingredient)
Ground Cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon (Dry ingredient)
Ground Nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon (Dry ingredient)
Large Eggs
2 (Beaten)
Medium Bananas
5 (Mashed)
Sugar
1 cup (Granulated sugar)
Butter
1/2 cup (Melted)
Walnuts or Pecans
1/2 cup (Chopped)
Dried Blueberries or Cranberries or Dried Apricots
1/2 cup (Diced if using apricots)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Grease the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of two 7 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 2-inch bread pans and set them aside.
3
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until well combined.
4
In a medium mixing bowl or food processor, combine the eggs, mashed bananas, sugar, and melted butter (you can use 'I Can't Believe It's Not Butter' for a lighter option). Blend for about 30 seconds until smooth.
5
Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix.
6
Fold in your choice of chopped walnuts or pecans, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
7
Carefully pour and spoon the batter into the prepared bread pans, filling them approximately 3/4 full.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9
Once baked, remove the pans from the oven and allow them to cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
10
After 10 minutes, carefully remove the loaves from the pans and let them cool completely on the wire rack. Enjoy slices plain or with a touch of butter!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Fruit & Nut Banana Bread?
It is a moist and flavorful banana bread recipe inspired by the Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook, featuring dried fruits and crunchy nuts.
How many loaves does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to make two loaves.
What size bread pans are required?
You should use two 7 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 2-inch bread pans.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
How many bananas are needed for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 5 medium mashed bananas.
What types of dried fruit can I use?
You can use dried blueberries, cranberries, or diced dried apricots.
Which nuts are best for this banana bread?
The recipe recommends using either chopped walnuts or pecans.
Can I use a butter substitute?
Yes, you can use 'I Can't Believe It's Not Butter' for a lighter option instead of regular melted butter.
How long should the bread bake?
Bake the loaves for 40-45 minutes.
How do I know when the banana bread is finished baking?
The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
What kind of flour is used?
The recipe uses 2 cups of all-purpose flour.
How much sugar is required?
The recipe requires 1 cup of granulated sugar.
Does the recipe include cinnamon?
Yes, it includes 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
How much nutmeg is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/8 teaspoon of ground nutmeg.
How many eggs are used?
The recipe calls for 2 large beaten eggs.
What is the amount of baking powder needed?
You will need 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder.
What is the amount of baking soda needed?
You will need 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
How should I prepare the bread pans?
Grease the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of the pans.
Should I use a food processor?
You can use a food processor to combine the eggs, bananas, sugar, and melted butter.
What is the most important tip for mixing the batter?
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and be careful not to over-mix.
How full should the bread pans be?
Fill the prepared bread pans approximately 3/4 full with batter.
How long should the bread cool in the pan?
Allow the loaves to cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing them from the pans.
Can I eat this bread warm?
Yes, it is delicious served warm with a pat of butter.
What makes this recipe 'hearty'?
The addition of various dried fruits and crunchy walnuts or pecans gives it a hearty texture.
Is the fruit preparation different for apricots?
Yes, if you use dried apricots, they should be diced.
How much butter is used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of melted butter.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 11 ingredients in this recipe.
How much dried fruit should I add?
You should add 1/2 cup of your chosen dried fruit.
How much nuts should be added?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans.