Banana Bread - Inspired by Kona Inn (GF)

This site is my little secret!  I've long considered opening a tiny little cafe that happens to serve 100% gluten free deliciousness.  For now I'll write about it by sharing my recipes!  Enjoy!

Banana Bread Muffins & Russian Hot Chocolate (all 100% Gluten Free)

Not the best photo, but... this is my Gluten Free Banana Bread, inspired by a recipe from Hawaii's Kona Inn!  The muffins and loafs turn out gooey most with a thin, crisp crust across the top that is delicious to break off and eat right away!  In the photo are cups of Russian Hot Chocolate too, which are also gluten free; I will post that recipe later.

I am a butter eater.  I'll just say that up front.  Everything is better with butter.  Having said that, these do not need butter.  Even to me.  Believe me, I kept wanting to put butter on them.  But I'd break off the top piece first to take a bite because I couldn't wait for the butter.  Then I'd stop in my tracks because it tastes like it's drenched in butter!!  I had the same reaction every time I ate it, whether it was a muffin or a slice of bread and whether it was just out of the oven or the next day.  No butter needed... PROMISE!

By the way, it's 100% GLUTEN FREE.  I was diagnosed with Celiac Sprue Disease in April 2012 and have struggled to find recipes and food that are 100% gluten free AND taste gourmet.  As I create or discover new recipes, I will continue to share them here!

You do not even need a mixer for this recipe.  Just some muffin tins or loaf pans, a couple large bowls, a rubber spatula for mixing, and some measuring spoons/cups.

All of the ingredients can be found at stores like Whole Foods.

Here's the recipe... 

GLUTEN FREE BANANA BREAD by Denise

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups                 Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour (Bob's Red Mill brand)

1/2 teaspoon             Guar Gum (Bob's Red Mill brand)

1 & 3/4 teaspoons, plus 1/8 teaspoon    Xantham Gum (Bob's Red Mill brand)

2 teaspoons              Baking Soda (Bob's Red Mill brand)

1 teaspoon                Salt (Himalayan Pink Salt)

1 cup                        Coconut Oil (Artisana brand Raw & Organic)

2 cups                      Sugar (I use Organic Turbinado Raw Cane Sugar)

2 cups                      Banana, ripe & mashed - about 5 or 6 bananas (2 generous cups)

4                              Eggs, lightly beaten

3/4 cup                    Nuts, Rough Chopped (raw: macadamia, walnut, pecan, pepitas, sesame)

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Preheat oven to 350°.

Directions:

Grease two loaf pans with butter.  Pans  should be about 8x4x3 inches and set aside.

      or

Line muffin tins with cupcake liners and set aside.  (I like this method best)

In a medium sized bowl, stir together the first 5 dry ingredients (flour, guar gum, xantham gum, baking soda, & salt) and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine shortening and sugar, mixing well by hand.  Try to get the big lumps of coconut oil to blend with the sugar.  You may have to smash them against the side of the bowl a big (some lumps are expected, so don't stress about this part). 

·         Add mashed bananas and mix. 

·         Add eggs and gently mix just to blend (do not over mix).

·         Add the dry ingredients from the bowl you set aside earlier.  DO NOT OVER MIX THIS PART.  Just stir until batter has thoroughly absorbed all the flour mixture.

Pour the batter into the prepared pans and sprinkle the top with the chopped nuts/seeds.  I like to use a large ice cream scooper super full of batter, so I make each muffin the same size. 

·         Bake 50-60 minutes for loaves, just until tester/toothpick comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are okay)

·         Bake 20-30 minutes for muffins, just until tester/toothpick comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are okay)

Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes, then turn out on a rack and let it cool completely.

The muffins are delicious hot right out of the oven!  They freeze very well too.

NOTE:  Please share your comments and feedback, as I am not a professional recipe writer. Let me know if my directions are not clear.  I also want to know how your batch turned out!  Photos too if you want!

Download PDF of Recipe Here