Caramelized Pecan Banana Bread

Hey, friends!

Sometimes I get on Blogger with the intentions of posting a really awesome recipe, I get to the “New Post” page and realize, “Wow, I really have nothing interesting to write about.”

And then I sit here… and I sit here… and I sit here… and still have nothing interesting to write.  Sometimes I wonder if people even read what I write, since this is a food blog and most of you are most likely here for a recipe… and then I start feeling sorry for myself because nobody wants to read what I have to write. (That’s called catastrophizing…don’t do that.) But then I snap out of it and realize that if you all just wanted a recipe, you could go to AllRecipes.com or Food.com and I feel better.

But, then I still have nothing to write about, but, hey, at least I’ve taken up 5 minutes.  Please tell me I’m not the only person who does this.  If I am… lie to me.

So here I am today with an awesome recipe and no story to go behind it except the pity party of a girl with writer’s block.

Here’s what I can tell you:  This is banana bread.  It’s really good.  Like, the bomb.  And it has caramelized pecans in it… basically candy.  Really moist candied banana bread that will make your house smell like a big, hot caramel-y banana.  How appealing does that sound?  I’ll work on it.

Do you guys ever have those days when you can’t think of anything to write??

Caramelized Pecan Banana Bread
adapted from: Betty Crocker

1 ¼	cups sugar
½	cup butter or margarine, softened
2	eggs
1 ½	cups mashed very ripe bananas (3 to 4 medium)
½	cup buttermilk
1	teaspoon vanilla
2 ½	cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1	teaspoon baking soda
1	teaspoon salt

1         tablespoonbutter2         tablespoons sugar1         cup pecan halves2         tablespoons ground cinnamon

1. 1. Move oven rack to low position so that tops of pans will be in center of oven. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottoms only of 2 loaf pans, 8 1/2×4 1/2×2 ½ inches, or 1 loaf pan, 9x5x3 inches.
   2.  Add the tablespoon of butter and let melt in a saucepan over medium heat.  Add the sugar, pecans, and cinnamon, and mix until the pecans have been coated and the sugar has started to stick. Set aside and let cool.3. Mix sugar and butter in large bowl. Stir in eggs until well blended. Add bananas, buttermilk and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt just until moistened. Stir in nuts. Pour into pans.
   4. Bake 8-inch loaves about 1 hour, 9-inch loaf about 1 ¼ hours, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Loosen sides of loaves from pans; remove from pans and place top side up on wire rack. Cool completely, about 2 hours, before slicing. (Good luck!) Wrap tightly and store at room temperature up to 4 days, or refrigerate up to 6 days.

Caramelized Pecan Banana Bread

Hey, friends!

Sometimes I get on Blogger with the intentions of posting a really awesome recipe, I get to the “New Post” page and realize, “Wow, I really have nothing interesting to write about.”

And then I sit here… and I sit here… and I sit here… and still have nothing interesting to write.  Sometimes I wonder if people even read what I write, since this is a food blog and most of you are most likely here for a recipe… and then I start feeling sorry for myself because nobody wants to read what I have to write. (That’s called catastrophizing…don’t do that.) But then I snap out of it and realize that if you all just wanted a recipe, you could go to AllRecipes.com or Food.com and I feel better.

But, then I still have nothing to write about, but, hey, at least I’ve taken up 5 minutes.  Please tell me I’m not the only person who does this.  If I am… lie to me.

So here I am today with an awesome recipe and no story to go behind it except the pity party of a girl with writer’s block.

Here’s what I can tell you:  This is banana bread.  It’s really good.  Like, the bomb.  And it has caramelized pecans in it… basically candy.  Really moist candied banana bread that will make your house smell like a big, hot caramel-y banana.  How appealing does that sound?  I’ll work on it.

Do you guys ever have those days when you can’t think of anything to write??

Caramelized Pecan Banana Bread
adapted from: Betty Crocker

1 1/4	cups sugar
1/2	cup butter or margarine, softened
2	eggs
1 1/2	cups mashed very ripe bananas (3 to 4 medium)
1/2	cup buttermilk
1	teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2	cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1	teaspoon baking soda
1	teaspoon salt

1         tablespoonbutter2         tablespoons sugar1         cup pecan halves2         tablespoons ground cinnamon

1. 1. Move oven rack to low position so that tops of pans will be in center of oven. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottoms only of 2 loaf pans, 8 1/2×4 1/2×2 1/2 inches, or 1 loaf pan, 9x5x3 inches.
   2.  Add the tablespoon of butter and let melt in a saucepan over medium heat.  Add the sugar, pecans, and cinnamon, and mix until the pecans have been coated and the sugar has started to stick. Set aside and let cool.3. Mix sugar and butter in large bowl. Stir in eggs until well blended. Add bananas, buttermilk and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt just until moistened. Stir in nuts. Pour into pans.
   4. Bake 8-inch loaves about 1 hour, 9-inch loaf about 1 1/4 hours, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Loosen sides of loaves from pans; remove from pans and place top side up on wire rack. Cool completely, about 2 hours, before slicing. (Good luck!) Wrap tightly and store at room temperature up to 4 days, or refrigerate up to 6 days.

Barbecue Chicken Pizza

Wonderful Selina  has awarded me with the Sunshine Award!

I’m very excited about it.  Thanks so much Selina, you’re wonderful! 🙂


The rules for the Sunshine Award are: 
1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them.
2. Tell us some things about yourself.
3. Nominate 10 other bloggers and let them know you awarded them!

1.  Thanks, Selina! 2.  Hmm… I can’t sleep without a fan on, I have 4 animals (a dog and 3 kitties), I love summer, my favorite color is silver, I’m impatient, I can’t stand being late, I love to fish, reading is my alternate world, I plan to live in a small town when I settle down, I’m addicted to reading blogs, I wish blogging could be my career, and I didn’t know anything about food photography until a few months ago. 
3.  Like I said last time, I read so many of your blogs in a day, there’s no way I could name them all, and I would like to give it to ALL of you.  🙂

Remember the Chicken Taco Salad I made the other day from Just Tell Me What to Eat!? Well, they also have a recipe for Barbecue Chicken Pizza that is to die for.  If I didn’t sell you on buying the book the first time, I hope that the pictures of this pizza will, because it’s so worth it!  The book gives the recipe for every little detail including the dough and the barbeque sauce!


It’s amazing!!

Barbecue Chicken Pizza

Wonderful Selina  has awarded me with the Sunshine Award!

I’m very excited about it.  Thanks so much Selina, you’re wonderful! 🙂


The rules for the Sunshine Award are: 
1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them.
2. Tell us some things about yourself.
3. Nominate 10 other bloggers and let them know you awarded them!

1.  Thanks, Selina! 2.  Hmm… I can’t sleep without a fan on, I have 4 animals (a dog and 3 kitties), I love summer, my favorite color is silver, I’m impatient, I can’t stand being late, I love to fish, reading is my alternate world, I plan to live in a small town when I settle down, I’m addicted to reading blogs, I wish blogging could be my career, and I didn’t know anything about food photography until a few months ago. 
3.  Like I said last time, I read so many of your blogs in a day, there’s no way I could name them all, and I would like to give it to ALL of you.  🙂

Remember the Chicken Taco Salad I made the other day from Just Tell Me What to Eat!? Well, they also have a recipe for Barbecue Chicken Pizza that is to die for.  If I didn’t sell you on buying the book the first time, I hope that the pictures of this pizza will, because it’s so worth it!  The book gives the recipe for every little detail including the dough and the barbeque sauce!


It’s amazing!!

Cinnamon Roll Balls

Okay, so remember how I told you guys I made my dad my grandma’s “coffee cake” (aka cinnamon rolls) for Father’s Day?

Well, I ended up burning them while I was writing that post!

How sad is that? I was really upset, especially since I worked so hard to do something special for my dad.

I haaattee when my surprises are ruined!  I put all that time and effort into making something so perfect for somebody and then it gets ruined!  Such a bummer!

It’s okay, though.  You know why?  When life hands you burnt cinnamon rolls, go with it.

The centers of mine were still okay, so I made cinnamon roll balls.  Like cake balls, only cinnamon rolls!

So yummy!

Have you guys ever accidentally ruined a surprise?  What did you do about it?

Cinnamon Roll Balls

Ingredients:
2-3 large cinnamon rolls
1/8 cup water
¼ cup powdered sugar
2 cups white chocolate
2 teaspoons oil

Directions:
1.  Process cinnamon rolls in a food processor until small crumbs are formed.
2.  Add water and powdered sugar.  *Add more water if needed.  Should be a doughy consistency.  (The water and powdered sugar are to make an ‘icing’ flavor.)
3.  Roll into 1 inch balls and place in freezer until semi-sold.
4.  Melt white chocolate and oil.
5.  Dip balls into chocolate. Chill until the chocolate has hardened.
*Optional: Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Cinnamon Roll Balls

Okay, so remember how I told you guys I made my dad my grandma’s “coffee cake” (aka cinnamon rolls) for Father’s Day?

Well, I ended up burning them while I was writing that post!

How sad is that? I was really upset, especially since I worked so hard to do something special for my dad.

I haaattee when my surprises are ruined!  I put all that time and effort into making something so perfect for somebody and then it gets ruined!  Such a bummer!

It’s okay, though.  You know why?  When life hands you burnt cinnamon rolls, go with it.

The centers of mine were still okay, so I made cinnamon roll balls.  Like cake balls, only cinnamon rolls!

So yummy!

Have you guys ever accidentally ruined a surprise?  What did you do about it?

Cinnamon Roll Balls

Ingredients:
2-3 large cinnamon rolls
1/8 cup water
1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 cups white chocolate
2 teaspoons oil

Directions:
1.  Process cinnamon rolls in a food processor until small crumbs are formed.
2.  Add water and powdered sugar.  *Add more water if needed.  Should be a doughy consistency.  (The water and powdered sugar are to make an ‘icing’ flavor.)
3.  Roll into 1 inch balls and place in freezer until semi-sold.
4.  Melt white chocolate and oil.
5.  Dip balls into chocolate. Chill until the chocolate has hardened.
*Optional: Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Healthy Chicken Taco Salad

I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Just Tell Me What to Eat!  I received the PDF file and was excited about that, but then I received the hard cover copy in the mail and cannot express how excited I was!

Needless to say, I started reading it and was surprised to find 8 whole weeks full of healthy meals.

The book isn’t one of those “lose weight fast” books, it’s one that tells you how to eat healthily.  The right way to lose weight.  I’m not looking to lose weight, but this book has taught me how to eat healthy.

The book just came out and it already has 5 stars on Amazon.

I’ve already tried 2 or 3 of the recipes and they’ve all been amazing!!!


You should buy this book even if you’re just looking for some good and healthy dinner recipes.

I’ll be posting them sporadically, but I’m not going to post the recipe.

This taco salad is so delicious.  It doesn’t taste healthy, and it’s chock-full of things that are good for you.  And it’s made with chicken instead of beef.  Buy the book.  Try it.  You won’t regret it. 🙂

Chicken Taco Salad

Healthy Chicken Taco Salad

I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Just Tell Me What to Eat!  I received the PDF file and was excited about that, but then I received the hard cover copy in the mail and cannot express how excited I was!

Needless to say, I started reading it and was surprised to find 8 whole weeks full of healthy meals.

The book isn’t one of those “lose weight fast” books, it’s one that tells you how to eat healthily.  The right way to lose weight.  I’m not looking to lose weight, but this book has taught me how to eat healthy.

The book just came out and it already has 5 stars on Amazon.

I’ve already tried 2 or 3 of the recipes and they’ve all been amazing!!!


You should buy this book even if you’re just looking for some good and healthy dinner recipes.

I’ll be posting them sporadically, but I’m not going to post the recipe.

This taco salad is so delicious.  It doesn’t taste healthy, and it’s chock-full of things that are good for you.  And it’s made with chicken instead of beef.  Buy the book.  Try it.  You won’t regret it. 🙂

Chicken Taco Salad

Lemon Blueberry Chocolate Chip Muffins

Happy Father’s Day to all the wonderful dad’s out there.  I’m blessed to have such an awesome one! 🙂  Love you dad!


This is actually not what I made my dad for father’s day, but they’re still yummy and I’ve been meaning to put this recipe up!  They’re delicious muffins and fairly healthy for you!


I surprised my dad with one of his mother’s old coffee cake recipes and he loved it.  I’ll post the recipe soon!

I also made him this card:

He loves McDonalds.  He goes there to get coffee at least twice a day!

How are you all celebrating Father’s Day?

 

Lemon Blueberry Chocolate Chip Muffins
93 cals each!


Ingredients:


1 cup flour
¼ cup brown sugar

• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup applesauce 
• ¼ cup plain yogurt
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon lemon extract
• 1/3 cup dried fruit (I used blueberry infused craisins… umm YUM)
• 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1. In a large bowl, combine the egg, oil, yogurt and vanilla. 2. Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
3. Stir ingredients just until moistened.
4. Fold in dried fruit and chocolate chips.
5. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups by the tablespoon.
6. Bake at 350 degrees F for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before 
removing from pans to wire racks.

Lemon Blueberry Chocolate Chip Muffins

Happy Father’s Day to all the wonderful dad’s out there.  I’m blessed to have such an awesome one! 🙂  Love you dad!


This is actually not what I made my dad for father’s day, but they’re still yummy and I’ve been meaning to put this recipe up!  They’re delicious muffins and fairly healthy for you!


I surprised my dad with one of his mother’s old coffee cake recipes and he loved it.  I’ll post the recipe soon!

I also made him this card:

He loves McDonalds.  He goes there to get coffee at least twice a day!

How are you all celebrating Father’s Day?

 

Lemon Blueberry Chocolate Chip Muffins
93 cals each!


Ingredients:


1 cup flour
1/4 cup brown sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup applesauce 
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract
• 1/3 cup dried fruit (I used blueberry infused craisins… umm YUM)
• 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1. In a large bowl, combine the egg, oil, yogurt and vanilla. 2. Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
3. Stir ingredients just until moistened.
4. Fold in dried fruit and chocolate chips.
5. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups by the tablespoon.
6. Bake at 350 degrees F for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before 
removing from pans to wire racks.