Tag Archives: banana bread recipe

Buckwheat Banana Bread

After my discussion of Buckwheat and Buckwheat pancakes, including the latest suggestion from a reader, I went off and made something entirely different. Introducing: Buckwheat Banana Bread.

Buckwheat Banana Bread
Buckwheat Banana Bread with chocolate chips.

As a bonus, this healthy buckwheat banana bread is not only delicious, it is gluten free. Pecans add a crunch, and chocolate chips nudge it toward the cake category. You won’t believe you are eating healthy.

Although I am credited as Author of this version, credit goes to the original source—-The Alternative Daily

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Buckwheat Banana Bread

A quick bread made with healthy Buckwheat flour and chocolate chips to put it over the top.
Course Bread
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Servings 14 slices
Author Vera Marie Badertscher

Ingredients

  • 4 medium-sized ripe bananas mashed with fork or electric mixer—1 ¾ cups
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 tbsp melted and cooled butter or coconut oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups light buckwheat flour gluten free
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 Tsp baking powder
  • 1/8 tsp sea salt
  • 1 cup chocolate chips optional
  • 1 cup chopped pecans optional

Instructions

  • Heat the oven to 350 °
  • Lightly grease the loaf pans and set aside.
  • In medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients: buckwheat flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt. Whisk thoroughly.
  • In larger bowl, mix mashed bananas, buttermilk, honey, eggs, melted butter or coconut oil and vanilla. If you are using powdered buttermilk, see NOTE.
  • Add dry ingredients to liquid ingredients and blend well. I like to use an electric mixer to ensure there are no chunks of banana. Stir In chocolate chips by hand.
  • Pour batter into greased pans. Sprinkle pecans on top if desired.
  • Bake for 35-45 minutes until top springs back when pressed lightly. Remove from pans and cool on wire rack. One more step for ultimate moistness. Wrap in plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 24 hours before cutting.

Notes

I keep powdered buttermilk on hand.  To use it, measure water and powder as instructed on package. Whisk the powder into your dry ingredients. Stir the water in with your liquid ingredients. Voila.

4 Generations Approve Badertscher Banana Bread

A few weeks ago, I talked to Gloria Badertscher Miller, my husband’s cousin, about her memories of the Badertscher family. She talked about a cookbook with hand written recipes in the back, and about a planned visit to the Kidron-Sonnenberg Heritage Center, where she would obtain some family memoir books for me. And then on June 29, I learned that Gloria had died. But because of her warm spirit and open heart, Gloria will live on with those who knew her. I am so happy to welcome back Ken’s sister Kay who had also recently visited with Gloria, and shares this memory.

By Kay Badertscher Bass

“Don’t touch those ripe bananas,” I exclaimed in a stern tone to my husband. Great plans awaited those black beauties.

Gloria Badertscher Miller

Gloria Badertscher Miller

A rare cool front was predicted for our area of Texas in mid-July with much needed rain. On top of that was the timing of its arrival – a weekend. It was time to bake banana bread using a recipe from my recently deceased cousin, Gloria Badertscher Miller (1927-2013). After all, this recipes has been tested by four generations.

As the skies remained overcast and rain gently began to fall, I reminisced about my last visit with my precious cousin. My heart overflowed with her shared wisdom, humor and family stories. Meanwhile, the house began to fill with the delicious aroma of baking bread.

Gloria received the recipe from her mother, Gertrude Steiner Badertscher (1905-1988). Gertrude was married to Uncle Monroe, my father’s older brother. I always looked forward to visits at their home in Killbuck, Ohio. Uncle Monroe always had a good story to share coupled with his hearty laughter, but it was Aunt Gertrude’s kitchen creations that excited me most.

Gertrude and her daughter Gloria shared a common personality of true ladylike manners, impeccable taste and exceptional culinary skills. At the yearly Badertscher reunions I would eagerly await Gertrude’s and Gloria’s arrivals, taking mental notes of which dishes they prepared and eagerly awaiting my first delicious bite.

During our last visit in Walnut Creek, Ohio,  Gloria shared with me her first cookbook, a thick, dark green vintage cookbook which belonged to her Mother. Gloria began her culinary craftsmanship at the early age of eight by tackling a recipe from that cookbook. A recipe for peanut butter cookies was not the easiest, but with a little help and encouragement from her Mother she was able to mix and conquer.

Badertscher Banana Bread

Gertrude Badertscher and Gloria Miller’s Banana Bread

In the back of the book, among hand-written recipes, was one passed on by Gertrude for banana bread. When she became a mother, living in Millersburg Ohio, Gloria made it for her sons. The banana bread recipe was Gloria’s grandson, John Miller’s, favorite. Four generations–one recipe.

Gloria also shared a little secret related to her banana bread recipe: freeze the bananas. She claimed the freezing process added extra moisture to the recipe. After trying her suggestion, I must concur.

Because John does not like nuts she would omit them from the recipe. I’ve made the bread with and without nuts and it is delicious either way.

Gertrude’s Banana Bread

Gertrude’s Banana Bread
Recipe Type: Bread
Cuisine: American
Author: Kay Badertscher Bass
Badertscher Family Banana Bread enjoyed by four generations
Ingredients
  • 3 very ripe bananas, peeled and mashed
  • 1/2 teaspoon soda
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups sifted flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3/4 cup chopped nuts – optional
Instructions
  1. Mix all of the above ingredients together in a large bowl. Pour into a greased loaf pan. Bake in a slow oven (325 degrees F.) for 1 hour or until a knife inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
Notes
A side note from the author: I’ve always held to the philosophy that all things taste better with chocolate. I suggest adding 1/3 cup chocolate chips to the above recipe, stirring them into the batter at the last minute before baking.

 

 Thanks, Kay, for sharing this family recipe and your memories of Gloria.