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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Hawaiian Banana Bread



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...My homey's call this lovely banana loaf King Kamehameha bread. We first had it in Hawaii several years ago. It is a lovely loaf whose taste has been enhanced by some very pleasant memories. When we returned from the islands, I began to search for a banana bread recipe that had the same plantation flavors as the bread we so enjoyed. Some find it strange that my quest for new foods begins with a search rather than an experiment. The work I did before retirement taught me not to reinvent the wheel, and, for better or worse, I've carried that belief into my kitchen. I don't create or develop recipes unless I absolutely have to, or I have a truly original idea. That I ever began to enter cooking contests is a mystery to those who know me, and that I actually began to win some is a miracle to me. So, it should come as no surprise, that rather than parse taste memories, I began a search for a recipe I suspected already existed. The search brought me to this lovely bread from Gourmet Magazine. It is very close to the one we sampled on the islands. There are some tricks to making a great banana bread and if you want full banana flavor you have to start with really nasty bananas. The best bananas, from a cook's perspective, are the ones that have huge leopard spots on their exteriors. Beautiful bananas look lovely in a fruit bowl but they make anemic breads, cakes or puddings. I also find it important to toast nuts and other dry additions that are folded into quick breads. Toasting will enhance their flavors as well. This bread is very moist and, if well-wrapped, will stay fresh for several days. It is easy to make and, in the great scheme of things, fairly inexpensive to make. If you can't find macadamia nuts in your area, almonds or pine nuts can be substituted. This is a wonderful bread and I think you'll enjoy it. The aroma as it bakes has been known to make grown men weep. Here's the recipe.

Hawaiian Banana Bread...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite, inspired by Gourmet Magazine

Ingredients:
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon double-acting baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 large eggs
1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest
1-1/3 cups mashed ripe banana (about 3 large)
3 tablespoons sour cream
3/4 cup chopped macadamia nuts, lightly toasted and cooled
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut, lightly toasted and cooled

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Generously grease two 8-1/2 x 4-1/2-inch loaf pans.
Dust with flour. Set aside.
2) Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl. In another large bowl, cream butter with sugars with an electric mixer. When mixture is light and fluffy beat in vanilla, eggs, one at a time, zest, banana, and sour cream. Add flour mixture, beating batter until it is just combined. Stir in macadamia nuts and coconut.
3) Divide the batter between loaf pans and smooth tops. Bake 45 to 50 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in center of loaf comes out clean. Remove bread from pans. Complete cooling on racks. Yield: 2 loaves.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Lemon Poppyseed Bread - One Perfect Bite
Sugar Crusted Viennese Nut Bread - One Perfect Bite
Three Savory Quick Breads - One Perfect Bite

76 comments:

  1. Mary thanks for sharing such a delicious cake recipe..the nut used for this recipe is really new one to me never tried that..so delicious and yummy one

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  2. Such a delicious, moist and prefectly baked bread, looks very gorgeous..

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  3. Love banana cakes, and yours look sooo good!

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  4. it looks so moist! I love banana bread, the smell is just amazing when it's cooking in the oven.

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  5. This hits all the right spots .... healthy and delicious.

    Thanks Mary

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  6. sometime I'm a bit confuse on how to differentiate between banana bread and banana cake, both almost having the same ingredients? Your banana bread look so nice and good!

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  7. Mary, i am intrigued... Have you tried this with pineapple added as well???

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  8. :) I have some bananas sitting here that have reached that "nasty" stage. And I just had a conversation with my son that involved me saying something along the lines of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". I use many of my grandmother's techniques and recipes because I see no need to reinvent something that already brings such pleasure. I mentioned your blog in yesterday's post (and linked back to you) and have already gotten some emails thanking me for finding you! Have a wonderful day
    xoxo Pattie

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  9. I Love banana bread, thanks for sharing this recipe with us. Diane

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  10. delizioso il pane alla banana!!!bravissima!!!baci!

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  11. What a lovely bread Mary!
    Pefectly baked!
    Have a nice day darling
    Khadija

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  12. Time to bake some for myself! Thanks for sharing this recipe :)

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  13. Hi Mary,
    posso venire a casa tua a mangiarlo ?
    Buono... voglio provare a farlo !!!
    Buona giornata :-)

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  14. I have some well beyond their prime bananas in the freeer waiting for their turn to shine.

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  15. This sounds very much like the banana bread that we had at tea at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental on Oahu. The tea "area" of the lobby was open on both sides with ocean breezes wafting through, the tea was perfectly brewed and the banana bread had all the taste of the island. I was just foraging in my freezer and found only one loaf of banana bread left. I'm going to do your recipe in a few small loaf pans--one for now and one for the freezer. Many thanks!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  16. Beautiful bread--there is nothing like a great banana bread warm from the oven. ;-)

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  17. Mary, I too have a few ripe bananas on the counter. Thanks for sharing this recipe I can't wait to make it.

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  18. You and I cook very much alike. I love the internet for searches and simply type in a key ingredient and see what comes up that interests me.

    This bread looks delicious and I love the texture of macadamia nuts too. Thanks for the inspiration :)

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  19. There's nothing like a good banana bread -- and it is the thing to do with overripe bananas! In fact, sometimes I'll buy the marked down bananas just for bread! Haven't made it in a while but yours reminds me that I should -- and that I should try your recipe!

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  20. I love banana bread (who doesn't?), but I like to change it up with different ingredients and this one with macadamia nuts and coconut sounds delicious!

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  21. I love banana bread, so healthy and delicious!

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  22. looks so beautiful and perfectly baked...

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  23. This looks so delicious. I always have bananas in the freezer. Thanks for a great new recipe to try.

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  24. Fortunately, mac nuts are more and more available in the mainland. They're still found in the overpriced nut section, but now also often in the produce section in more generically-marked bags. But better still, get them from Sunflower Market or Whole Foods where you can buy exactly how many you need from the bulk section.

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  25. I too tend to begin with a search rather than an experiment. It feels safer that way, even if I end up straying far from the original.

    I love the tropical flavors in this banana bread!

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  26. This is truly a summery banana bread. It looks so moist and the tropical flavors are a delicious change from the norm. I adapt a lot of recipes also - mainly by following them and thinking - you know what would go well here????

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  27. I wish I had some bananas! I would totally make this for my Luau this weekend, it looks great!

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  28. Mary, I love the fact that your search for a recipe starts with a wonderful experience and a delicious taste memory. Recipes really are one of the most important ways we curate our lives.

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  29. Looks moist and yummy ... thank you for sharing.

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  30. Mary, I love reading your posts because I feel like I'm having a conversation with you in your kitchen! I have some rather dark skinned banana's on my counter at the moment that would love to be used in this tried and true recipe you use. Thanks for the tips on toasting nuts and everything. Can't wait to pull up a chair another day :)

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  31. This sounds so flavorful--I just need to keep my eye out for some cheap macadamia nuts because they cost an arm and a leg around here!! Thanks for sharing

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  32. I can't wait to try this. Thanks for the tips too!

    Carmen

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  33. Love the addition of coconut and macadamia nuts. I'm thinking this'll make great road food snacking! Thanks Mary.

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  34. What a fantastic sounding flavor combination! I have some "really nasty" bananas on the counter and sense a banana bread in my future :o)

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  35. You know, so many people think banana bread is mundane - but I've always loved it. I think it would taste divine with the coconut and macadamia nuts!

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  36. What incredible flavors and textures are going through this bread. This is a must bake!

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  37. Mary, this looks delicious! I really like banana bread, too. I'm adding this recipe to my file to try. Thanks for sharing.

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  38. I was just craving banana bread, Mary, and now I have a lovely new recipe to try. :-) Thank you!! I love that you toast the nuts before adding them. What a splendid idea. :-)

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  39. Mary,
    I have a bunch of VERY RIPE bananas on my counter, and I've wanted to try a new variation of banana bread. I would love to give this a try. If I post about it, I will be sure to credit you and your wonderful blog!

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  40. The banana bread looks super moist and scrumptious.

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  41. Banana bread is my kind of sweet, not too sweet and flavorful and i make it every time with a different kind of nuts and dry fruits but i never made it with coconut flakes! And i thought i knew all the tricks!
    Thanks Mary i am going to make it for sure, except for the macadamia i don't get it here, but i think almonds will do. Ciao!

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  42. This is truly a wonderful twist on classic banana bread! I love macadamia nuts, and can only imagine how great they must go with banana!

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  43. Oh how lovely- spread with honey for breakfast, or with a cup of tea at any time of the day! Thanks for your kind words on my blog- and I found David Lebovitz's tips on setting with gelatine, I've bookmarked it and will certainly use it in the future. Have a wonderful week, with kind regards, Emmalene x

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  44. I'm with you--if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

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  45. I'm copying and pasting this to Word so that when it cools off a bit I can make it. Banana bread is my absolute favorite and I think this recipe sounds better than any I've had/made...thanks!

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  46. I, too, always search for recipes that already exist. I used to be an attorney and I don't like to recreate the wheel either! In fact, long-standing recipes are a great source of inspiration and flavor combinations. I find they are a good starting point for most kitchen quests. Your blog is lovely and this bread looks fantastic. I am a lover of all kinds of banana bread!

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  47. Thank you for sharing this lovely recipe Mary. This bread screams Hawaii with all those macadamia nuts. I will have to hunt it down when I visit Hawaii one of these days.

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  48. My homey's would like this too.

    I would so love this bread. Has all the yummy essentials. Bananas, coconut and the magic of sour cream in baked goods.

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  49. Oh this looks and sounds heavenly....I can't wait to make this wonderful bread!!! Thanks for the recipe!

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  50. Wow, that sounds fantastic! I've never had banana bread, but your recipe has convinced me to try it...Also, your other recipes are great, I'll definitely be back. Thanks for your visit and lovely comment on my blog, I appreciate you taking the time and hope you'll be back soon. Love from London x

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  51. Very nice recipe---it has all the hallmarks of Hawaiian, with the coconut and macadamias, enriched with sour cream and brown sugar.

    I am new to your blog, and you've piqued my curiosity about your contest wins! looks like I'll have to do my research!

    Nancy

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  52. Excellent colour and fantastic texture ♥

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  53. The recipe sounds deliciously moist. I always make banana bread but usually without much thought and just using up the bananas. I will have to give this one a go, and give it the respect it deserves.

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  54. I love recipes that have wonderful memories attached to them...I think it makes the food even more delicious! :) This is a beautiful bread!

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  55. I love the way your technocratic mind works. This exactly how I proceed when I want to recreate something. All your hints are very helpful and I am sure the end result definitely lives up to everybody's expectations.

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  56. That recipe looks amazing, I cannot wait to try it, my husband loves bananna's

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  57. I love the peas, the ice cream and the Hawaiian banana bread, you have been busy but everything looks yummy! I need to check in on you more often! Your photo of the bread looks fantastic.

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  58. What a great recipe. I know my hubby would just love it.

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  59. With such a memory, I know this is a must to try!

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  60. Hello Mary;
    Thank you friend!!!

    I love banana bread.
    Delicious hummmm
    Kiss

    Thank you!!!
    Maria Paula -BRASIL-

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  61. Love it. I think the only time we have banana bread is when we're in the islands. Now we can enjoy it at home. Thanks.

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  62. That's a beautiful loaf! I'll bet it's just divine :)

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  63. If there's one thing I have loads of in the freezer is mashed banana ready for the next good recipe.
    Yours does certainly bring back memories of Hawaiian baked goods for me too ;o)
    Great comfort dessert.
    Thanks Mary...and flavourful wishes, Claudia

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  64. I love banana bread...this version sounds incredibly good!

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  65. This banana loaf looks very yummy especially with nuts and coconut. Love the picture!

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  66. I'd weep too. Looks delicious.
    LL

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  67. This bread looks delicious. I'm sure the macadamia nuts add that special touch.

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  68. Yum, this looks so good! I love the powdered sugar sprinkled on top :)

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  69. I love the Hawaiian flavors of macadamia and coconut in your bread. I need to make this for my daughter who absolutely loves a good banana bread. Thank you Mary!

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  70. I've never, ever made banana bread on my own. This recipe is so simple and easy, on top of that the banana bread came out so perfectly moist and yummy!

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  71. Mmm, this looks delish, I may have to do a low carb version. Thanks for your comments on my blog, too!

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  72. We add mac nuts to our breads too! But I've never done the coconut with banana... brilliant!

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