When I was growing up, I had an obsession with banana bread that I’ve yet to live down with my family. I was a little more than mildly fanatical about it, and since it’s not exactly cake and it’s not really just bread, I would usually try (unsuccessfully) to convince my mother that it was in my best interest to let me eat say…the entire loaf. Kids have had worse aspirations, I guess…right? Regardless, I still just love a thick piece of banana bread with a cup of tea and a good book. That’s a scene from a little corner in my heaven, friends:)

Being gluten free, sugar free, preservative free, etc etc etc often feels like it ends up being taste free. Texture is often unpleasant and the final result is a really bad knock off from whatever original recipe from which it was fashioned. I don’t think clean eating has to come at that high of a price, especially when it comes to my gd beloved banana bread, so I experimented with a wide variety of recipes and altered them until I found a recipe that yields a moist, richly flavored banana bread. Best of all, it’s  gluten free, sugar free, preservative free, etc etc etc…but not taste-free:) Another plus with this bread is that I tend to make it at the end of the week with whatever bananas are left over. Whatever we haven’t used in our green smoothies don’t end up being wasted; instead, the perfectly ripe bananas go into this healthy, delicious bread. And the aroma that fills the house while it’s baking reminds me of cooking with my mother when I was little.

Ingredients:

5 ripe bananas (do make sure they’re fully ripe and turning brown. It lends a sweeter more flavorful taste profile to the bread)

2 cups Pamela’s GF flour mix

* 1 1/2 cup Stevia (may use sugar if that is not a concern to you)

1/2 Dried Coconut Nectar (or additional stevia; may use brown sugar)

2 eggs or vegan egg substitute

1/4 cup of butter

1/4 cup of coconut oil (OR skip butter and do 1/2 cup coconut oil; I find adding butter brings a richer, fuller flavor to the bread)

1 teaspoon bakingsoda

2 teaspoons of cinnamon

1 teaspoon of allspice (optional)

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup of walnuts (optional)

* If you prefer a less sweet banana bread, use 1/2 cup stevia and a 1/2 dried coconut nectar

Directions:

1. Mash bananas to a puree consistency.

2. Add eggs, vanilla, spices and oil/butter.

3. Slowly mix in dried ingredients and walnuts if you chose to add them.

4. Lightly brush a 9- by 5- by 3-inch loaf pan with coconut oil. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and bake for 55 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

5. Let bread cool before serving and enjoy over a cup of tea and a good book!