Sunday, August 23, 2009

SMS: Mom's Banana Apple Bread


Yet another recipe that I was none too excited about at first glance, but happy to have made in the end. I love banana bread, but we just made banana cake for TWD a couple of weeks ago, and last week's TWD was an apple recipe. Banana apple bread seemed a little repetitive to me. However, all of the SMS bakers who made this earlier than this morning, ahem, raved about it so much I had to give it a shot.

When I started making it, I realized that this is no regular banana bread: the first step is to saute cubed, peeled apples - I used pink lady instead of granny smith - in butter, sugar - palm sugar in my case, with a little vanilla extract stirred in at the end. Well, if those apples were any indication of the final result, I knew I was in for a treat. They were a dessert unto themselves.

Other than the apples, the only non-traditional ingredient was the addition of orange juice. I was hoping to taste it in the bread when it was baked, but I couldn't. There was only 1/4 cup, though.

The bread smelled great as it was baking, though it took a bit longer to bake than the recipe stated - mine was in the oven for an hour and 8 minutes.

I used palm sugar in the bread itself as well as the topping, and it gave my bread a dark golden color that I loved.

My husband said this was the best banana bread he has ever had, though I don't agree. I thought it was delicious, but couldn't really taste the banana - which is what he liked about it. To me it was more of an apple spice bread. I think it would be delicious to replace the banana with pumpkin and add some ginger. I'll certainly do this later in the fall.

This bread is incredibly moist, and has a wonderful crust that was slightly crispy. Though it won't become my go-to recipe, I gobbled up two thick slices minutes after it came out of the oven. I'm just a bit of a banana bread purist, I suppose...

Thanks to Joy of Hot Oven, Warm Heart for choosing this recipe. Visit the SMS blogroll to see what all of the other bakers came up with.

19 comments:

  1. i agree that this is not the traditional banana bread taste... it was very tasty though!!

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  2. Hi Sarah, Looks like some very good bread and your idea for pumpkin ginger bread sounds intriguing...like a wonderful Fall season baked good!!
    Peace, Stephanie

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  3. I agree that it's not typical, but we can't always have the normal things - we gotta go outside the box a little and try new things!

    I'm glad that you tried it and although you didnt like it, it was still yummy!

    <3

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  4. Another person whose mind was changed! I'm glad that your hubby enjoyed it as well.

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  5. I really enjoyed this recipe, though I suspect it had a lot to do with the caramelized apples, which I loved! Your bread looks so good. I always envy your gorgeous photos :)

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  6. YUM, this looks amazing! I like regular banana bread too, but I also like the sound of an apple bread like this. Will have to give it a try!!

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  7. Adding in the apples is what sold me on this recipe. I loved it. Your bread looks amazing.

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  8. Pink ladies are my FAVORITE!!! Your bread looks fabulous!!

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  9. your bread looks great! I am far from being a banana bread purist, as i have only made two different kinds, but this will be my go to for now :)

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  10. Another banana bread purist- I love it! What a wonderful idea to use pumpkin too! I was thinking about applesauce. I'll have to try both when the weather gets a little cooler.

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  11. Not fully a banana bread but still yummy! looks good

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  12. Pumpkin and apple sound so good together! A few year ago, I found a recipe in either Gourmet or Bon Apetit for pumpkin spice cake with sauteed apples on top, and it is amazing. Definitely a combo to try in the fall!

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  13. Using pumpkin for bananas sounds so good, great idea!!

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  14. Looks yummy and I'm glad your husband enjoyed it so much. I am definitely a banana bread purist; I love your idea of using pumpkin, though, since I really liked the spices and apples.

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  15. Your loaf looks fantastic!

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  16. Your slices look perfect! I still haven't had more than a bite (still waiting to snap some good photos in the sunny hours, doh!) so I'm hoping this one keeps well..? I started out none too excited and ended up swayed by reviews as well thankfully! Glad your husband loved this one & I'm definitely going to keep the pumpkin sub in mind - genius!!

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  17. Hi Sarah!

    Thank you so much for baking along with me this week, even though you were a bit hesitant at first! I'm not a member of TWD, but when I saw everybody's banana bundt cakes a few weeks ago, I was nervous that people wouldn't be interested in baking a similar recipe so soon after. And then to see the applesauce spice bars everywhere made me even more worried- but this bread is so special to my family, I just couldn't imagine making another selection. I'm sorry it wasn't your favorite, but thanks for giving it a try. I love your idea of the pumpkin version- please let me know if you ever do give that a shot... sounds like a perfect fall treat! Oh, and before I forget, your bread looks absolutely beautiful- perfectly golden brown, great job!

    I hope you’re doing well- have a great rest of your week! Hope to hear from you soon!

    <3,
    Joy

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  18. I'm glad you ended up making the bread, even if it's not your new go-to recipe. I love your idea of subbing pumpkin for the banana. That would be lovely. Will have to remember that in a couple months.

    The fair results aren't in yet but as soon as they are, I will post them on my blog :o)

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  19. I subbed my orange juice for milk, I'm glad I didn't miss out :p

    Your bread looks super tasty!

    Katie xox

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