Fruit & Walnut Banana Bread

Today, I wanted to show you the recipe that I developed from a traditional banana bread recipe. The banana bread alone is spectacular, but I wanted to change it a little. As you all know, too much of a good thing gets boring after a while, so I added some extra ingredients to the recipe to enliven it a little and change the flavor. We really love this recipe, but I will switch it out at times to keep it lively.

Fruit & Walnut Banana Bread

3/4 C. All Purpose Flour

1 1/4 C. Whole Wheat Flour

1 teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1 teaspoon Cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon Ginger

Sift all the above ingredients together. Set aside.

1/2 C. Butter or Shortening. (I use Olivio Soft Margarine.)

1 C. Sugar

1/8 C. Molasses

1 C. (2 medium sized ) mashed Bananas

1/2 C. Milk

1 teaspoon Lemon juice or Vinegar

1/2 C. chopped Walnuts

1/2 C. Raisins

1/2 C. Craisins

Cream Butter. Gradually add sugar, creaming well. Add eggs, bananas, and molasses. Blend thoroughly. Combine milk and lemon juice. Add dry ingredients to banana mixture alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Blend well after each addition. Dredge fruits and walnuts with some extra flour, this keeps the fruit and nuts from sinking to the bottom of the bread. Stir into batter. Grease bottom of 9 x 5 x 3 inch pan. Pour in batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 60 to 70 min, until bread springs back when touched lightly in center. Cool 10 min. Remove from pan. Finish cooling on a wire rack. Store at room temperature, wrapped in aluminum foil. This is extra good, spread with butter or margarine and lightly heated in the microwave. It is also one of those breads that is better the longer it sits. I hope you will try my recipe and I am sure that you will enjoy it. Yum! I think I'll go make one now! And if you make it, let me know how you like it!