Happy Saturday everyone! I was so generously gifted a bunch of very ripe bananas at work yesterday so I wanted to create a yummy banana bread that was healthy yet still delicious. If you’re new to this website then hi, hello, my name is Hannah and I LOVE anything bananas! My nickname growing up was literally Hannah banana. If you’re not new then you already know my obsession. Since experimenting with more vegan options I’ve learned that when baking vegan, bananas and applesauce are a must when swapping out for ingredients. They both help add moisture that you would usually get with butter which you can find dairy free but I tend to try and use more whole foods to replace it. I’ve also found that oil which is almost always already vegan can be substituted with applesauce and since I’ve been trying to limit my oil intake this is the perfect substitute! I’ve also found that when I use coconut oil sometimes the dessert that I’m baking is overpowered by coconut and I don’t get that same overpowering with applesauce. When baking, the applesauce taste isn’t as prominent. With all of that in mind I made this banana bread! I started making this recipe by going off of one of my homemade recipes that I created years ago (it was super simple and the usual ingredients for loafs) and made substitutions where they were needed for my intolerances and needs! Since changing my lifestyle I’ve found that I loved baking and that I enjoy some pretty interesting combinations BUT I have also learned that my family does not have that same outlook so this recipe is perfect when it comes to combining healthy ingredients, following intolerances, and still being yummy for everyone! I made this for my Uncles birthday party last night and my Grandpa who is 81 and doesn’t necessarily like anything overly healthy loved it!! Now he also has a stomach of steel so he isn’t too picky but I know he loved the taste (if you know Grandpa H then you totally understand what I’m trying to say)! Happy baking!!
Ingredients
1 3/4 cup of gluten free flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cinnamon
3/4 cups and 2 tablespoons of monkfruit sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened apple sauce
3 very ripe bananas
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons neat egg (vegan egg substitute)
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup cashew milk (or any milk will work)
1/4 cup espresso chocolate chips ( I used nestle tollhouse)
1/4 cup white chocolate chips ( I used Lily’s)
Instructions
First, preheat oven to 350 degrees then grab a loaf pan and either line with parchment paper or spray with oil.
Next grab a large bowl. Mash 2 of the bananas with a potato masher or fork, mash to the consistency that you would like. If you like chunks don’t mash as much. Leave the other banana to the side for the topping.
Add the applesauce to the bowl and combine.
Add the monkfruit sugar, vanilla, almond, water, and apple cider vinegar, and mix until combined.
Next prepare your vegan egg and add to the mixture. For me I had to whisk for about 2-3 minutes to make sure the egg combined completely. If you are not vegan you can use just 2 regulars eggs.
Add the gluten free flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt and mix together.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf. Garnish the top with the remaining banana. This is the fun part where you get to be creative! Just know that when the loaf bakes it will grow so just know that your design make look different, that happened to mine but it was still super delicious!
Bake at 350 degrees for an hour or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool for 30 minutes in pan, then remove loaf from pan and place onto a cooling rack.
Once the loaf is completely cooled use a serrated knife and serve!
This banana bread was super moist which I was pleasantly surprised by! This is the first time I tried neat vegan egg instead of just doing a flax seed egg but I loved it so much more! The combination of the bananas, applesauce, and vegan egg created the perfect texture AND this recipe is a one bowl recipe so even better!! I highly recommend this recipe if you want to impress some friends or if you just have some bananas that need to be used. I hope you enjoy making this as much as I did and if you make it make sure to tag me on Instagram at @hanshomemadeeats !
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