Speechless Banana-Walnut Bread

I call this "Speechless Banana-Walnut Bread" because it is super-moist and
super-delicious...and Mama told me not to talk with my mouth full!
Mmmmmmmmm!


Speechless Banana-Walnut Bread
www.whispersofthyme.blogspot.com
[Yield: 2 (9x5) loaves]

Ingredients:
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon apple pie spice (optional)
2 eggs, room temperature
1/3 cup sour cream
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon sweet dough bakery emulsion, optional (purchased from k.a.f.)
1-1/2 cups ripe mashed bananas (about 3 large)
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup raw sugar (a.k.a. turbinado sugar)
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease loaf pans; I use two (9x5 inch) loaf pans.

In medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices; set aside.

In  large mixer bowl, blend together on low speed the eggs, sour cream, oil, vanilla extract, sweet dough emulsion (if using), and bananas. Add both sugars and mix well. Add flour mixture and mix until just combined.  Stir in chopped walnuts (if using).

Pour batter into prepared pans, and bake for 42 to 47 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (with a few dry crumbs attached).

Place pans on wire rack and allow bread to cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan;
continue to cool loaves on wire rack. 

Freezes well.

Orange-Banana Protein Shake

Nutritious, delicious, and quick to make.
Perfect for rushed mornings!


Orange-Banana Protein Shake 
www.whispersofthyme.blogspot.com
(yields 1 to 2 servings)

Ingredients:
8 ounces (1 cup) premium orange juice
1 ripe banana (fresh or frozen)
1 heaping scoop (approx. 1/3 cup) vanilla whey protein powder
2 cups ice
1 to 2 teaspoons sugar (optional)

Directions:
Place all ingredients (with ice on top) in blender.
Pulse or blend until mixture is thick and ice is blended.
Serve immediately.

My notes & preferences:
1) I like "Simply Orange" brand juice
2) Peel ripe bananas...store in freezer baggies ahead of time for usage in shake
3) I purchase the protein powder from Wal-mart 

Creamy Banana Pudding

Easy and delicious banana pudding using cream cheese, instant french vanilla pudding, and fresh whipped cream.



Here's what you'll need:
French Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix, Milk, Cream Cheese, Vanilla Wafers, Whipping Cream, Powdered Sugar, (& Bananas- not shown)

Begin by adding softened cream cheese to mixer bowl and mix until fluffy.

Slowly add in milk and mix until thoroughly combined.

Add in instant pudding and mix well.

  


In serving dish*, layer: 
1) vanilla wafers, 2) prepared pudding, & 3) fresh sliced bananas. Repeat steps, ending with prepared pudding on top.
*Looks pretty in clear bowl or trifle dish...just be sure to place vanilla wafers facing out (on the sides of the dish).

 

Cover and refrigerate pudding while making whipped cream. 
 

Place whipping cream in mixer bowl with whip attachment and whip cream, adding in small amount of powdered sugar once cream begins to stiffen slightly. Continue whipping until you reach the desired stiffness.

Top banana pudding with whipped cream.

Best when served the first day.

Creamy Banana Pudding
www.whispersofthyme.blogspot.com
(Yield: approximately 15 servings)

Ingredients:
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
4 ripe bananas (but not too ripe)
3-1/2 to 4 cups milk total
2 (3.4 ounce) packages dry instant french vanilla pudding mix
1/3 box vanilla wafers
2 to 3 cups whipping cream
2 Tablespoons powdered sugar

Directions:
Add softened cream cheese to mixer bowl and mix until fluffy.
Slowly add in milk (from 3-1/2 to 4 cups, as desired) and mix until combined.
Add in dry pudding mix and mix well.

In serving dish*, layer:
1) vanilla wafers, 2) prepared pudding, & 3) fresh sliced bananas.
Repeat layers ending with prepared pudding on top.
*Looks pretty in clear bowl or trifle dish...just be sure to place vanilla wafers facing out (on sides of dish).

Cover and refrigerate pudding while preparing whipped cream.
Place whipping cream in mixer bowl fitted with whip attachment, and whip cream adding in powdered sugar once cream begins to stiffen slightly. Continue whipping until it reaches the desired stiffness.
Top banana pudding with whipped cream.
Best served right away or within 24 hours.

Recipe Review - Frozen Banana PB Chocolate Chip Milkshake

the Kitchn

This recipe is from "the Kitchn."  
Makes a very rich shake.

√ Peanut Butter

√ Chocolate Chips

√ Frozen Banana

√ Milk

No need for ice cream!  


RECIPE: Frozen Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Shake

Recipe Review - Banana Cake

Banana Cake Recipe - Dulce Dough 
Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe - Whispers of Thyme

This is by far the Best Banana Cake I have tasted! The cake recipe is from Jill at Dulce Dough. Her recipe calls for Rum Cream Cheese Frosting, which sounds good, but since I didn't want it to be too cream cheesy, I opted for my Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting, which is listed at end of this post. 


For the cake you will need flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ripe bananas, buttermilk or sour milk, shortening, vanilla extract, and eggs. I used buttermilk powder (and water) instead of buttermilk.

Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. 
[If using buttermilk powder, add the powder in now. We'll add the water in a minute.]

Whisk them all together.

Mash the bananas.

Measure mashed bananas. Add to flour mixture.

Add the water now if using buttermilk powder.

Add shortening.

Add vanilla.

I also added this (optional): Buttery Sweet Dough Flavor
This is for baked products only, not frosting, etc.

Mix until well combined.

Add eggs.

Beat everything together.

Pour batter into pans.

 Bake and remove from oven.

Remove from pans and cool on rack.

For my Frosting you will need butter, cream cheese, shortening, salt, [meringue powder, optional], powdered sugar (confectioners'), [heavy whipping cream (or milk)], vanilla extract, and imitation butter flavor (like McCormick or Watkins). Meringue powder can be purchased from Wal-Mart.
 

Add butter, shortening, and cream cheese to mixer bowl.

 Add in salt.

Blend together.

 Add in vanilla and imitation butter flavor.

Sift in 1/2 cup of powdered sugar along with meringue powder, if using.

Blend well and add remaining powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time and mix for 5 minutes on medium speed. Add in 1 tablespoon of cream or milk at a time, until desired consistency.

Assemble the cake.

Slice, eat, and be prepared to say Yum!

Note: Cake must be refrigerated or frozen.


RECIPE: Banana Cake

Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting 
 (frosts 2 layer cake)

Ingredients:
1 stick unsalted butter*, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup shortening
1/8 teaspoon salt*
3 to 4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon imitation butter flavoring
2 teaspoons meringue powder
2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk, for desired consistency

Directions:
Mix together butter, cream cheese, shortening, and salt until light and fluffy. Add in vanilla extract, butter flavoring, (and meringue powder, if using). Mix well. Add in 1/2 cup of powdered sugar at a time, mixing well after each addition. Once all sugar has been added, mix on medium speed for 5 minutes. Add cream (or milk) 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed for desired consistency. 

*If using salted butter, omit salt in recipe.