Banana Walnut Bread

Deliciously simple and straightforward banana walnut bread recipe made with butter instead of the usual vegetable oil.

Banana bread and banana muffins have previously been featured on Nomsies Kitchen. You can have a read of all those previous recipes here. It includes my all-time favourite recipe for Banana Muffins with Chocolate Chunks and Hazelnuts. However, I always like trying out new recipes for banana bread or muffins, I just can’t resist.

I have always wondered about the difference in using butter compared to vegetable oil in banana bread. After reading many rather lively debates and articles on the internet, my conclusion is that using vegetable oil produces a lighter, fluffier crumb whereas using butter produces a richer and heavier, albeit more flavourful bread.

This is actually my first time using butter in a banana bread simply because using butter usually calls for the use of a mixer. If I can get away without using a mixer, I will. I thought now is as good a time as any to get rid of this prejudice of mine which is truly one that is inspired by laziness and give it a go.

End result? Well, I must be consistent and stick with my earlier conclusion. Using butter definitely adds flavour, and when the bread is baking the smell from the mix of banana and butter is indeed heavenly – something that is missing from ones made with vegetable oil. The bread itself is also richer and denser than banana bread made using vegetable oil.

In all fairness, it also was not that difficult to use a mixer here. Just make sure the butter is properly softened first. You might notice that I used 3 teaspoons of Nutella in the recipe, this is purely optional. The reason I added so little was because there was all that I have left in the jar at the time.

Use this recipe if you are looking for a deliciously simple and straightforward banana bread recipe. You will not be disappointed.

Easy & Tasty Banana Muffins with Almond Streusel

Super quick, easy and tasty banana muffins with a hint of cinnamon and topped with almond streusel.

Hello everyone!

I happened to chance upon a fantastic banana muffin recipe and I can’t wait to tell you all about it.

This was a chance find on Pinterest. I always find that the best recipes seem to find you instead of you going on an extensive hunt for them. So anyway, you know I love my banana bread and muffins and I have shared my “All- Time Favourite” banana muffin with chocolate chunks and hazelnuts recipe here on Nomsies Kitchen previously.

I do believe that I have now found another recipe to add to the perfect banana muffins recipe list – this super quick, easy and tasty banana muffins topped with almond streusel. It has a touch of cinnamon added in the batter too, I always love the smell of cinnamon in baked goods. I also used a mixture of wholemeal and plain flour here.

Again, with most of my favourite recipes, it is super easy to make and does not require an electric mixer. Just whisk the wet ingredients by hand and add them to the dry ingredients. What a breeze!

Maybe that is not entirely accurate as the almond streusel does require a food processor – to simplify and quicken the process. Like with most of the times when I have used streusel in a recipe, I have always pre-made the streusel in advance. I have mentioned this previously and I am emphasising it again, it is so easy to make in a big batch and freeze in the freezer. It’s even easier if you divide the batch into single portions and bag each portion up. When you need to use it for a recipe, simply take that bag out of the freezer and thaw out in the fridge overnight or on the kitchen counter for a couple of hours before using.

Small forward planning steps in the kitchen go a really long way, as does utilising your freezer to its fullest. If you don’t believe me, just ask Jaime Oliver who has launched a whole new series entitled “Money Saving Meals” and book on how to make budget friendly meals, reduce wastage and utilise your freezer to its full potential.

I hope you try this banana muffins recipe for yourself. If you are feeling indulgent, you should know that these muffins taste really good when warmed, halved and slathered with Nutella. I think it would be a good idea to just fill them with Nutella next time I bake them. Happy baking!

Banana Muffins with Chocolate Chunks and Hazelnuts

Glorious banana muffins with delicious chunks of chocolate and hazelnuts.

Hello friends! Hope you are feeling good and looking forward to your weekend. Yesterday was my birthday and as I said, I had decided not to bake myself a birthday cake. However, I was too greedy and I could not resist baking some glorious jumbo banana muffins with chocolate chunks and hazelnuts. Well it was my birthday so please don’t judge me!

Two Ingredient Pancakes (Gluten Free)

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend. I have to tell you, I went for a total change in hair style and chopped off my long hair. I took more than 4 inches off. I think I posted a photo on my Instagram account. I will need to update all my profile photos in due course. For now, I am loving my new short hair. I have had long hair for over eight years now so it is high time for a change!

Coming back to food, as today is Meatless Monday here on Nomsies Kitchen and it is Pancake Day tomorrow here in Britain, I thought it will be timely to share a recipe for two ingredient pancakes with you!

Moist Banana Walnut Chocolate Bread

Moist Banana Walnut Chocolate Bread with desiccated coconut for a soft texture and intense flavour

Hello and how have we all been keeping?

Well, my schedule has been a bit out of whack. I had it all planned but then an unscheduled road trip for 2 days seems to have side tracked my best laid plans. In any event, I am looking forward to the road trip! Will rather work extra harder these few days and enjoy! Hey, I am learning how to embrace change better and not get so cranky if things don’t go as planned. That is one of my goals for 2014 and beyond, learning to embrace things. Of course I reserve the right to be cranky every now and then. There, caveat entered!

So, where was I, ah – yes, I wanted to share a recipe for a moist banana walnut chocolate bread. Oh I know there are thousands of banana bread recipes, but I really did enjoy this recipe and it takes 2 minutes to make. Well, you got me there, it takes 10 minutes of prep time, but that is short and easy enough. This banana bread is really quite filling and it worked really well for several brunches and lunches for me. The desiccated coconut gives body to the texture. As for the chocolate chips, well, most things are better with chocolate and this is definitely the case here. As a side note, I have reduced the sugar content so if you want it sweeter, go ahead and increase the amount of sugar by 50gm.