This banana bread is sweetened with delicious amber maple syrup and shredded coconut.
Once again my freezer if filling up with bananas. My kids always ask me to buy bananas, but then hardly eat them. I am very picky when it comes to bananas and love to eat mine when they are still slightly green on the end. So every week I'm throwing 2-3 bananas into my freezer. Since I am running out of room, I decided to make some banana bread. I didn't want regular banana bread though. I had a can of maple syrup sitting in my cupboard waiting to be used, so I decided to go ahead and use it as well.
I've also been craving coconut lately, so I threw some in there as well. I actually caramelized my coconut in some maple syrup, before adding it to the batter. While the bread was baking, the kids kept saying that it "smelled so GOOD!" and that they couldn't wait to dig in. It is delicious and not too sweet, with a slight coconut taste. Perfect for the lunch box, or for a snack at home.
Maple Coconut Banana Bread
1 C shredded coconut (unsweetened)
3/4 C maple syrup, divided
3/4 C butter (or margarine)
1/2 C sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 1/2C flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 C mashed very ripe bananas (about 3 small)
1 additional small ripe banana, sliced
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Generously grease a large loaf pan and set aside.
In a non stick skillet, over medium heat, combine the coconut with 1/4 C maple syrup. Cook, stirring frequently until coconut begins to turn a nice golden brown colour. Remove from skillet and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl cream the butter and sugar until smooth. Slowly mix in the maple syrup, eggs and vanilla, until well combined. Add in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon and stir to combine. Once mixture is just about mixed, add in the mashed banana and coconut and stir until just combined.
Pour into prepared loaf pan and top with sliced banana. Bake for 50-60 minutes, until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Loosen the edges by running a butter knife between the loaf and the pan and turn out onto a wire rack to cool.
I too have lots of bananas in the freezer so I am glad to see your recipe. Adding maple syrup is such a good idea for some great flavor that pairs really well with the bananas.
ReplyDeleteoh my goodness!! This sounds amazing and so delicious. I love everything with coconut
ReplyDeleteIs great to use food around us creatively and turn them into nutritious snacks.
ReplyDeleteI love the banana slices on top - what a cute idea and it makes it look so pretty! Anything with maple syrup is a win for me!
ReplyDeleteThis is the PERFECT solution for my spotty bananas, we love all things maple syrup in our house and I love coconut also...
ReplyDeleteadding coconut to the bb is briiliant. i love how fragrant it is. very tropical vibes
ReplyDeletelove this with a hot cup of coffee, banana bread is always a staple and coconut is a nice addition
ReplyDeleteJust when I thought banana bread couldn't get any better...What a great idea to add some coconut! YUM!
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to trying this recipe. This sounds so good. Thank you for sharing. 😊
ReplyDeletePastor Natalie (ExamineThisMoment)
Letstakeamoment.com
I don't freeze bananas, but they do get old in my kitchen, too. This is when I use them in baking. I need to try your coconut recipe, I can already feel the smell of it in the oven!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so tasty! Love the maple syrup and banana combination (maybe that's partially the Canadian in me, lol). The bananas on top look so pretty too.
ReplyDeleteI love your idea of caramelizing the coconut in maple syrup. I'll bet your kitchen smelled amazing! Must try this asap!
ReplyDeleteYUM! I make banana bread so often and we get a little tired of the same old recipe. Glad to have this new one to try out!
ReplyDeleteThe combination of maple syrup and coconut were so delicious in this banana bread! My family gobbled it up!!
ReplyDeletei love how you added coconut to the bb - it is super fragrant and I will def make this again
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an amazing recipe. Love the flavours of coconut and maple syrup which make a good combo with the banana. I can imagine how fragrant and delicious the bread must be. I am sure going to try it. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an amazing recipe. Love the flavours of coconut and maple syrup which make a good combo with the banana. I can imagine how fragrant and delicious the bread must be. I am sure going to try it. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI, too, am picky about how I like my bananas, so also have tons in the freezer. I'll be giving this a go. Sounds delicious!
ReplyDelete