Mom's Banana Apple Bread



It's been a rainy day here. I had lunch with a friend today that I hadn't seen in nearly two years so we played a lot of catch up. Ever since I have moved my dad down here to Virginia from Long Island I find I have less and less time to get together with friends. He is in a dementia unit in a Veterans Home down in Richmond where I also have a house and my two older sons live. Between visiting my dad, my mom and stepdad, my older son and wife and granddaughter, my middle son, spending time with my husband and 10 year old son.....I do find it hard sometimes to fit in time with friends. It really is important to get together with friends. Girlfriends are what keep you sane!!! Don't think I am kidding here, because I am quite serious. We share our happiness, sadness, triumphs, joys and miseries with our girlfriends. Who in the world can understand us like our girlfriends...no one. I've learned so much from 2 older girlfriends that I had for many years that have passed on. These ladies had so much wisdom and I learned a lot from them. They were both older than my own mom! I loved them dearly. I also have some friends that are my own age and then there are a few that are quite a bit younger. You learn different things from different people. Moving on here.......

I found this recipe at Hot Oven Warm Heart. This is a terrific banana bread recipe that is very different from any other ones I've made since it contains cooked apples. It is a really good bread and I definitely recommend it. It's especially great for this time of year when apples are in season and it's a nice twist on the usual banana bread.

For the apples:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the banana bread:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
8 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups very ripe mashed bananas (2 to 3)

Before you start:
Position a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly butter and flour a 1 1/2 quart loaf pan.

To make the apples:
Preheat a medium skillet over medium high heat. Add the butter and brown sugar and heat until bubbling. Add the apples and cinnamon and saute until golden and tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the vanilla. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.

To make the banana bread:
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and salt. In a bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
In a small bowl, combine the orange juice and vanilla.
Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in three batches, alternating with the orange juice mixture, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl after each flour addition. Stir in the mashed bananas until combined. Then stir in the reserved apples.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove to a wire rack to cool for 20 minutes before unmolding onto the rack to cool further.

Comments

Coleens Recipes said…
What a wonderful combo for a quick bread. Thanks for sharing. I'll bet it smells heavenly while baking.
Mary Bergfeld said…
This is an interesting recipe. I think the apples replace some of the butter. Your recipe also has orange juice which I've never seen used in banana bread before. I'm really curious. Have to give this one a try.
Have a great day.
Jenn said…
Yum!! I made some apple bread this week, too. Looks delish!!
Kerstin said…
I love the idea of a banana apple bread, it looks great!
Monica H said…
the spices in this banana bread are so comforting and autumn like!
Palidor said…
That looks so yum! I love the idea of combining apples and bananas. Your house must have smelled wonderful as it was baking!
Nutmeg Nanny said…
Yesterday I was looking for a yummy apple bread recipe. I love the ingredients and I bet it was delicious:)
noble pig said…
Love this combo, bet it stays really moist.
Reeni said…
I've never had bananas and apples together in a baked good!! It's such an obvious combo. This looks moist and delicious!!
Donna-FFW said…
I agree.. girlfriends are a neccessity in life..

This bread sounds loaded with a great combo of flavors.
Karine said…
I had never thought of adding apples to my banana bread. I looks so delicious!
teresa said…
oh this looks so comforting and yummy!
Cate O'Malley said…
Interesting twist with the apples - bet it made the bread crazy moist - yum!
Cassie said…
What an interesting twist on banana bread. I bet this is so moist and delicious! YUM.
Jennifer said…
First off I am sorry to hear about your Dad, mine passed from a long trek with Alzheimers. It is a horrible thing to watch.

This bread combines my husbands two favorite items, cant wait to make it!
The baked apples really give this a unique twist. I'd love a nice warm slice of this with some apple butter.
You're right - the more complicated life gets, the more we need our girlfriends. They can understand, support like no one else can. And share bread with, too!
Acorn to Oak said…
Yum! That sounds really good! I never thought of adding apples to bannana bread.

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Dewi said…
Banana and apple, what a fabulous idea Debbie! I love how your mom's recipe has all of those spices for this cke. YUM!
The Blonde Duck said…
I am so glad you posted this! I've got ripe bananas and I wanted to do something more fally with them! Hooray!
Katy ~ said…
What a unique banana bread; never would I ever have thought of adding apples. As these are fruits that we typically have on hand, this is a recipe I'll have to give a whirl.
Katy ~ said…
What a unique banana bread; never would I ever have thought of adding apples. As these are fruits that we typically have on hand, this is a recipe I'll have to give a whirl.
figtree said…
What a delicious treat! I want a slice RIGHT NOW!!Figtreeapps
Manggy said…
I totally agree about friends, though I do find myself working out my frustrations by myself... I wonder if I'm still sane :)
Anyway, love the idea of a banana bread with apple- double the goodness!
Pam said…
I think you are right - spending time with girlfriends is VERY important.

The apple banan bread looks tasty.
Chef Fresco said…
Nice post :)

I like the combo of apples and banana in your bread!