Deliciously Healthy Banana Split Bread Recipe
Hey everyone! It's me again from The Seasoned Mom, bringing yet another yummy, family-friendly recipe for you!
Are your kids crazy about muffins and breakfast breads like mine? I bake a loaf of banana bread almost every other week because it's my quick solution for those overripe bananas I've got lying around. You can just as easily make it into muffins, mini loaves, or a standard loaf... and the extras freeze well for later! Plus, with all that fruit in the batter, you don't need much added oil or sugar for the bread to stay moist and sweet.
Got a silly idea from my 4-year-old son one day while he was munching on a slice of my whole wheat banana bread. He said, "Wouldn't it be funny if you made a banana SPLIT bread?" That got me thinking...
So, I took all the yummy flavors and textures from the classic Banana Split ice cream sundae and worked them into my favorite banana bread recipe! The result? A loaf of soft, tasty whole wheat bread packed with bananas, cherries, nuts, and mini chocolate chips! Slather it with Greek-style vanilla yogurt for a healthy, protein-rich twist!
This is a great way to sneak in some healthy fats, protein, fruits, and whole grains into your kids' diets... in a fun and delicious way! Sure, there are a few chocolate chips involved, but hey, what kid (or grown-up) wouldn't devour that quickly?!
Hope you enjoy!
Ingredients
- 3 or 4 ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1⁄4 cup applesauce
- 1⁄2 cup sugar
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
- 3⁄4 cup whole wheat flour
- 3⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1⁄2 cup sliced maraschino cherries
- 1⁄4 cup chopped peanuts
- 1⁄4 cup miniature dark chocolate chips
- Greek-style vanilla yogurt (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch by 4-inch loaf pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- Place mashed bananas, melted butter, and applesauce in a large bowl. Use a wooden spoon to mix together.
- Add sugar, egg, and vanilla to banana mixture. Stir until well blended.
- Sprinkle baking soda and salt over mixture and stir until well blended.
- Add whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour last, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to over-mix or your bread will be tough.
- Fold in the cherries, peanuts, and chocolate chips until just combined.
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake for 35-55 minutes, or until brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Check it early on to avoid overcooking.
- Cool on a wire rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.
Want more tasty baked goods? Check out my Blueberry Muffin Oatmeal Cookies, Lemon Yogurt Cake, or Birthday Cake Muffins! Happy baking!
Incorporating elements from health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise, this banana bread recipe, titled 'Banana Split Bread', offers a nutritious and fun alternative for a healthy diet. Packed with bananas, cherries, nuts, and mini chocolate chips, it serves as a smart option to sneak in whole grains, fruits, and healthy fats into family meals, while providing a yummy dessert option that kids (and grown-ups) would love. Enjoy the unique flavor combination, and explore other health-conscious baked goods like Blueberry Muffin Oatmeal Cookies, Lemon Yogurt Cake, or Birthday Cake Muffins for more wholesome treats.
