Walnut Banana Bread
DESCRIPTION
This moist, dark banana bread is easily mixed by hand, without an electric mixer. The bananas should be very ripe.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup canola oil or vegetable oil
- 1 cup mashed ripe banana (about 3 medium-sized bananas)
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup California walnuts, in halves or large pieces
- 1 cup whole-wheat flour
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease and flour a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan, or coat it with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl combine the sugar, brown sugar and oil and blend with a fork or whisk until smooth. Add the mashed banana, eggs and vanilla and stir or whisk again until completely mixed. Stir in the walnuts. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, combine the whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder. Stir them together for a minute, using a fork or whisk, so they well mixed. Add to the banana mixture and stir just until the wet and dry ingredients are thoroughly combined, with no streaks of unblended flour.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake about 1 hour, then test for doneness: A wooden skewer or sharp knife inserted into the center of the loaf should come out clean, or with just a few moist crumbs on it, but no raw batter. If necessary, bake about 5 minutes longer.
- Remove from the oven and cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then turn the loaf out and onto a rack and cool to room temperature. Store in a sealed plastic bag or container. The bread can also be well wrapped and frozen.