Okay, so there are LOTS of banana bread recipe out there and I tried a great many of them, always looking for that great balance between not too sinful (read with lots of butter, sugar and oils) and not too light (read without ANY butter, sugar or oil). The first version is often obviously exquisite but are just, in my view, a way to eat cake but calling it « bread » in order to feel better about ourselves, whereas the second version is quite often tasteless and dry and will be left uneaten.
The Ultimate banana bread
I have been making this excellent banana bread from Weight Watchers for years. The classic version is supposed to be 2 points per serving, provided that you cut the bread in 24 servings (that makes for a VERY small serving, thank you very much)…so I’ve modified it a little bit, not just for the taste, but to add a bit of protein (nuts) and make it a somewhat lighter by reducing the butter and substitute it with applesauce. You can also substitute the brown sugar by uncut stevia if you like the taste and make it even more « guilt-free ». I personally prefer the real thing so I always use real sugar but that is up to you.
It’s often my « go-to » hostess gift whenever I am invited for dinner and I have to say that it is a success Every. Single. Time …I mean who wants to prepare breakfast the morning after having guests! Clever right?
- - 1/3 cup brown sugar
- - 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
- - 1/4 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- - 2 eggs
- - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- - 1 cup mashed bananas (2-3 very riped bananas)
- - 1/4 cup low-fat greek yogurt
- - 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- - 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
- - 3/4 cup toasted wheat germ
- - 1 tbsp baking powder
- - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- - 1/2 teaspoon salt
- - 1 cup chopped walnuts
- With the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 350 °F. Coat a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.
- In a bowl, combine the flours, wheat germ, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.
- In another bowl, cream the butter, and brown sugar for about 1 minute until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, the applesauce, the yogurt and the vanilla. Beat until smooth. Add the dry ingredients and mix until it's a smooth batter. Add the mashed bananas and walnuts and mix well with a wooden spoon.
- Spread the batter in the prepared pan. Bake for about 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean.
- Let cool before unmoulding and slicing.
