Mother’s Day Banana Bread

dragana991/ iStock / Getty Images Plus
dragana991/ iStock / Getty Images Plus

Looking for a recipe for Mother’s Day brunch? You need a crowd-pleaser — but instead of overloading the table with more egg dishes, appetizers and salads, how about baked goods?

My mom has been making variations of her banana bread for years. Sometimes she will add walnuts or pecans — or, if she’s feeling indulgent, chocolate chips (my personal favorite). Regardless of the additions, it is hands down the best banana bread I have ever eaten!

In honor of Mother’s Day, I decided to pay homage and put a dietitian’s take on the best banana bread ever.

The “3 R’s” of Baking: “Reduce, Replace or Remove”

I substituted in whole-wheat flour and cut back on the sugar and fat. Applesauce keeps the bread moist and bananas provide enough sweetness that no one will be able to tell I reduced the amount of sugar.

If you feel like getting fancy for your next brunch, you can also turn this delicious banana bread into an even more delicious banana bread French toast! This recipe also makes great muffins — but be sure to reduce the cooking time to 35 minutes.


 Mother’s Day Banana Bread

Peach Lemon Cream Smoothie

Recipe by Kari Ikemoto, RD

Ingredients

  • 2 mashed, ripe bananas
  • ⅓ cup buttermilk (I make this from scratch: add 1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup milk)
  • ¼ cup oil (I prefer coconut or canola oil)
  • ½ cup applesauce
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1¾ cup whole-wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • A little less than ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • 1 teaspoon hemp seeds
  • Optional: ½ cup chopped nuts

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
  2. Spray loaf pan with cooking spray.
  3. Combine banana, buttermilk, eggs, applesauce and oil in a bowl.
  4. In a separate bowl mix the flour, sugar and baking soda.
  5. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Stir in nuts or other additions (such as blueberries or chocolate chips).
  6. Pour into loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
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Kari Ikemoto
Kari Ikemoto, RD, is a Los Angeles-based registered dietitian. She works as an outpatient dietitian at HealthCare Partners Medical Group and is the social media chair for the California Dietetic Association. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter and her blog, Kari On Nutrition.