Monday, August 8, 2011

Orange Glazed Banana Nut Bread





From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I love it when voyages of discovery in the kitchen lead me to something that is new, different and delicious. With the little ones here, I've had to deal with an amazing number of bananas at various stages of brown and nasty decay. As you've probably guessed, I've made an assortment of muffins, cakes and bread to prevent them from becoming fodder for the compost pile. Now, I'll grant you that there is nothing new about banana bread, but the orange and nut glaze that tops this one takes it out of the "same ole, same ole" category and puts it in a league of its very own. This simple confection, actually more like a cake than a bread, takes all of 15 minutes to prepare, and I promise those of you who try the recipe will consider it time well spent. The glaze, which would work well with pound cake or other plain quick breads, is a stunner, pure and simple. Not only did it have my socks going up and down, my kitchen assistant, a certain four year old who will leave here with my heart in his hands, had those hands full with a fat slice of the cake he got to glaze when he gave the ultimate review. "Deeelicious". I also got a kiss. Now I don't often get kisses for my banana bread and I must say it was a lovely reward. I suggest you give this one a try. Here's the recipe.

Orange Glazed Banana Nut Bread...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Beverly Sprague

Ingredients:
Bread
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 package (8-oz.) cream cheese, softened
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1-1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 medium)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups chopped walnuts or pecans, divided
Glaze
1 cup confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons orange juice
1 teaspoon grated orange peel

Directions:
1) Grease two 8-in.x 4-in. loaf pans. Line bottom of pans with parchment paper; grease paper. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2) Cream butter, cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in bananas and vanilla.
3) Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in another bowl; gradually add to creamed mixture. Fold in reserved 1 cup pecans.
4) Scrape batter into prepared pans. Sprinkle with remaining nuts. Bake for 1 to 1-1/4 hours or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.
5) In a small bowl, whisk glaze ingredients; drizzle over loaves. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Yield: 2 loaves (12 slices each).







One Year Ago Today: Blueberry Corn Muffins








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Hippyfied Banana Bread - The Culinary Life
Marbled Nutella Banana Bread - Sugar Plum
Peanut Butter Banana Bread - Sweet and Savory Tooth
Almost Vegan Banana Bread - Deelicious Sweets
Ultimate Banana Bread - Good Times and Good Food

50 comments :

Diane said...

Wow this sounds really good, on my to do list. Diane

Kim said...

This glaze is a stunning idea to put banana bread in an another dimension. I surely will try it! Thanks Mary and have a good day!

Valérie said...

This sounds like a great twist on a classic. Then again, I'm on a orange kick at the moment! Have a great day!

Pondside said...

We love banana bread here - my daughter has made it a staple for her kitchen now, too. I think the recommendation of a four year old is enough to get me to try this one!

Sue/the view from great island said...

I love those orange glazes, your post reminded me of an orange pound cake I used to make years ago. If this recipe earns the baker kisses, it's a must try!

Unknown said...

This looks fantastic, takes banana bread right over the top! I think I might be eating this for dessert! Thanks, Chris

Kim said...

i love banana bread! love the orange glaze! Happy Monday Mary!

Susan said...

Sounds wonderful, Mary! I love the addition of Cream Cheese into the bread. I'm always looking for a different take on Banana Bread & this looks like the one to try!

Enjoy your week!

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

Oh great! What a wonderful twist on a classic. And love the look

Reshmi Mahesh said...

Delicious looking bread with lovely flavors..

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Aw-w-w, what a cute post!! the recipe sounds fabulous. One can always try a new banana bread recipe especially with a delicious glaze. Who wouldn't want a kiss from a 4-year-old??

Barbara F. said...

Delicious, and I love orange glaze. xo,

That Girl said...

That glaze looks amazing

Rita said...

What a nice different version of banana bread; looks really good!
Rita

Joanne said...

We always have bananas browning away over here also so there's always room for a new banana bread recipe! This looks fabulous! Love that glaze.

Anonymous said...

this is such a nice touch,, the orange i mean,, yummy

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

Sounds pretty yummy! I might just buy some bananas for the sake of trying this glaze! Hope you're enjoying the visit with family.

From the Kitchen said...

Well, I'm not quite sure but I think you are saying that if I try this banana bread I will get a kiss. Have I mentioned that I have a file folder titled "Made Mary's Socks Go Up and Down"? Enjoy those boys!

Best,
Bonnie

Tracy's Living Cookbook said...

The glaze is a really nice idea - we eat lots and lots of quick breads. I will try your glaze soon!

Anonymous said...

What a great looking glaze!

Anna said...

Oh heavens! This sounds delicious!!!

SweetSavoryPlanet said...

the topping looks awesome as does the banana bread.

Jocie's Mom said...

A smoochie reward! It must be a star studded glaze :) Sounds amazing!

Anonymous said...

Banana bread with extra..always welcome;)

Baking Addict said...

I'm always looking for a new banana bread recipe. This looks and sounds delicious, will definitely give it a try.

Anonymous said...

I love the addition of the orange glaze - brilliant!
Mary

Debbie said...

I've never made a banana bread using cream cheese or an orange glaze. This sounds delicious. I love banana bread and have made sooo many so I am going to have to try this one too!

Beloved Green said...

The orange glaze sounds absolutely divine!

Unknown said...

Banana bread is one of my favs!! This is a great little twist on the .. as you say.. same ol' same ol'! Can't wait to try this :)

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Otange and banana, I like the sound of that Mary.

ireke said...

okay i made today, and finally got to taste it; decreased the sugar a bit, and used ricotta/yogurt mix instead of cream cheese. it is truly an excellent cakey/banana bread but is very very sweet!

Gloria Baker said...

Dear Mary look amazing and nice! , xxgloria

teresa said...

what a beautiful loaf of bread! i love the nutty top!

The Harried Cook said...

Yum! That looks really good... I love that beautiful nutty topping! That would probably be my favorite part. My next favorite part would be the rest of the loaf :) Thanks for sharing, Mary!

Mary Bergfeld said...

Ireke, I'm glad you enjoyed the cake. If you make it again, continue to experiment with the amount of sugar you use.You can cut back at least 1/2 cup without affecting the cake's chemistry. After that, you have to proceed with caution. Have a great evening. Blessings...Mary

~~louise~~ said...

Oh goodness, Mary. You just reminded me I forgot to buy bananas! I just never think to buy them in the warm weather.

Love the notion of that gorgeous sounding glaze glittering a loaf of banana bread. It sounds heavenly, gee I think my mouth is watering, oh gosh it is...

Thanks for sharing...

Unknown said...

The topping looks delicious (as does the rest of the bread).

Mary | Deep South Dish said...

I love that topping - marvelous!

Jackie said...

Hi

What condition was the bananas in when you made this bread. Yellow with brown spots, or black.

Elin said...

Mary, I guess this must taste delicious...orange and nuts goes well and thank you for the recipe.
Have a nice day,
Elin

JasmyneTea said...

Wow, looks amazing, might give it a go and hopefully I'll get a kiss out of it ;)

Umm Mymoonah said...

I love the texture and the nutty topping topping, gorgeous.

Cooking Creation said...

Mmm! I might even kiss you for this! It sounds wonderful!! :)

The Blonde Duck said...

Good thing I have bananas in the fridge!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful presentation, love it!

Terri @ that's some good cookin' said...

Mary, this is a beautiful banana bread. The addition of cream cheese to the batter and that delicious looking orange topping put this on my must-do-soon list. I have some bananas on the counter that are almost at their brown spotted prime for this recipe.

Sandra said...

Oh my goodness! I'm gonna have to make this one! I can just picture myself having a slice with a cup of coffee. :) Mmmmm! Thank you for sharing.
Sandra

Anonymous said...

Heh heh, I liked reading about your kitchen assistant. :) You are right about the glaze taking ordinary banana bread to the next level! It looks fantastic!

briarrose said...

Wow.....beautiful nut bread. The nuts on the top really give it a nice finished look.

Anonymous said...

I have made this bread about four times and my family cannot get enough. It is one of the best I have tested so far.10 stars

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