I remember when I was a kid, I used to entice my little sister into the kitchen to cook with me. That sounds sweet and cozy, right? Well… I had slightly more selfish intentions. I had plans for my sister once we hit the kitchen: I would do all the fun stuff like measuring out sugar and chocolate, and she would do all of the not so fun stuff, like getting the flour containers out of the pantry, reaching for bowls, and doing all the dirty dishes. Baking always seemed like more fun if I had someone to do all the grunt work for me.
That sort of fun in the kitchen with my sister didn’t last long. Lauren very quickly caught on to my tricks, and before long we were sharing the dirty dish responsibilities.
Since then, I’d like to think I’ve become a much more accommodating kitchen partner. Ask Simon. You know Simon, he’s that crazy kid fromFoodproof. We made Almond Banana Bread together. It went swimmingly, and I don’t think I made him do the dishes.
This banana bread was an excuse to accomplish two things: to watch Simon use a spatula and to experiment with Almond Oil. Do you bake with nut oils? I was surprised at how mild, if nonexistent the nut flavor was. We used a bit of oil, and a bit of melted butter. The oil definitely made for a more dense and moist banana bread experience. Tossed together with toasted, coarsely chopped almonds, this nutty banana bread was pretty delicious.
Almond Banana Bread
thank you to SmittenKitchen who thanks SimplyRecipes
3 to 4 ripe bananas, smashed
1/3 cup melted salted butter (or in a 1/3 measuring cup measure out half almond oil and half melted butter)
3/4-1 cup light brown sugar, depending on the level of sweetness you prefer
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon bourbon
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Pinch of ground cloves
1 1/2 cup of flour
3/4 cup coursely chopped almonds
No need for a mixer for this recipe. Preheat the oven to 350°F. With a wooden spoon, mix butter and almond oil into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar, egg, vanilla and bourbon, then the spices. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour, mix. Add the almonds, and stir until just incorporated. Pour mixture into a buttered 4×8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.
Ida
How you inspire me dear Joy, all your photographs and recipies are breathtaking! I love this blog.
soul-fusion
Thanks for the inspiration, I used this to jazz up my usual banana bread recipe. I’ve been lurking around for a while and tried a couple of your recipes and must tell you I love your blog!
EB
I love your passion for new baked goods. I’m such a baking louse so I live vicariously :)
Culinarywannabe
Nice camera work! The rubber spatula was a key turning point! :)
A Mouse Bouche
I love cooking with my sister–heck, we started a blog together to keep doing it–but somehow i never perfected the pass-the-gruntwork on craft! Think she’d notice if I start working it in slowly? :)
thanks for the gorgeous photos and writing!!
joythebaker
deanna- i love that you’ll make some of these recipes and give them as gifts. that makes me feel super.
cyndi- throw your bananas in a brown paper bag and get ’em going even faster!
aimee- your sister still lets you get away with the bossy routine? lucky you!
simon- best side kick ever! and you did put the dishes away, didn’t you. thanks. so much. and your hands look mighty handsome… don’t fret.
erin- yowza! thanks!
Erin
This looks great! I love the addition of almond; it sounds like a great twist on banana bread!
simon
This was the most fun I’ve ever had while in a kitchen. No lie. It’s actually only the third time I’ve baked all year, but it certainly won’t be my last. I’m hooked.
For the record, I *did* end up putting away most of those dishes–I just didn’t need coaxing to do so. Oh, and thank goodness I’m not trying to make it big as a hand model.
Aimee
Hmm, it IS fun to have a sidekick. I boss my little sister around in the kitchen something terrible. Hopefully she continues to let me for a good long while.
My Sweet & Saucy
I love the addition of almond…yum!
cyndi
Oh how I wish I had ripe bananas on hand!
This truly looks incredible and I will most definitely be making it in the very near future. Thank you, yet again, for giving us amazing recipes to play with :-)
Maria
I am sure almonds make this bread over the top delicious!
Jennifer
I love this combo!
Karen
Mmmm… I love almond anything!
Deanna
These sound great. I am going to try these along with the pumpkin pie bars for giving as Christmas goodies to my friends. Thanks for the amazing recipes!