Sunday, July 12, 2009

Glazed Streusel Banana Bread

This is not your average banana bread. I always look for unique recipes and this one stood out. This loaf has a nutty streusel and a cinnamon glaze. Mmmm! I got this recipe from a blog called eating-in (thanks for the fabulous recipe!) The bread was very moist. I would suggest cutting it when it is completely cooled. Below is the original recipe with my comments in gray.

Bread Batter
½ cup (one stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup dark brown sugar *I used light brown
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 very ripe bananas, mashed *I used 5 Mmm.. more banana :)
2 cups all-purpose flour *I used unbleached - worked just as well
3 teaspoons baking powder
dash of ground cinnamon
*I used .5 tsp cinnamon and found it lent to the flavor but wwas not overwhelming

¼ teaspoon salt
*3/4 cup chopped walnuts - to taste

Crumble Topping
2 Tablespoons slivered almonds
2 Tablespoons macadamia nuts, chopped
2 Tablespoons oatmeal
1 graham cracker, crushed
1 Tablespoon light brown sugar
1 Tablespoon butter
*I did not have macadamia nuts so i used hazelnuts. - try different things!

Glaze
1/3 cup Powdered Sugar
1/8 tsp Cinnamon, or to taste
3 tsp Milk or Half & Half
butterscotch schapps (options) *I did not use these



Prepare Bread Batter

- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.

- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition. Stir in vanilla and banana.

- In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.

- Blend the banana mixture into the flour mixture; stir just to combine. Fold in walnuts. Pour batter into prepared pan and evenly sprinkle crumble over the top.

- Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour, until a toothpick inserted into center of loaf comes out clean.

Crumble Topping
- In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, oats, graham, and nuts. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal.

Glaze
- Combine sugar with cinnamon and enough of the liquid of your choice for a drizzling consistency.



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