Friday, December 9, 2011

LAVENDER BANANA BREAD



This week I've been thinking about some of the things that I love most about this time of the year. As stressful as it can be sometimes, its really nice to think that we spend a whole month (or perhaps more) searching for gifts for the ones we love, writing cards to wish them a joyful season and making plans to spend quality time with them. The world around you becomes a festive, warming and happy place even in the midst of a dreary winter. It's a time that allows us to stop for a moment and show how much we appreciate those around us.

Other than my amazing husband, family and friends, here are some things I've been loving this season:


Things I love this Winter...

Lavender Banana Bread: 
(makes 1 loaf)
  • * 3/4 cup Lavender Sugar (plus extra for sprinkling)
  • 1/2 cup butter (softened)
  • 2 eggs
  • pinch of nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 bananas mashed
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 cup milk

* For the Lavender Sugar, mix white granulated sugar and dried lavender buds in a jar. For every cup of sugar add a 1/4 cup of lavender.

Seal and store for 1-2 weeks, shaking now and again. (If you don't want extras then just make enough lavender sugar for this recipe).


Preheat the oven to 350F

In a large bowl cream together the butter and lavender sugar (I didn't sieve the lavender buds out).

Add the eggs, vanilla extract and nutmeg, beat well.

Add the mashed bananas, mix well.

Fold in the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and mix just enough until well combined.


Line a loaf tin with parchment paper and add the mixture to it.


Bake at 350F for 1 hour (or until golden and a skewer comes out clean.)

When removed from the oven, sprinkle the top of the bread with more lavender sugar.

Allow to cool on a rack. Enjoy with a cup of tea :)



   To see what else I'm up to, follow me on TwitterPinterest and Instagram

9 comments:

  1. Lavender sugar :) wow, what an amazing idea! :) Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  2. darling i love your photos!
    i have yet to use lavender sugar--isn't that bad? you'd think by now, right?

    ReplyDelete
  3. So lovely! The other week I tried lavender chocolate! Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!

    ♥ Daniëlle

    ReplyDelete
  4. I just found this recipe and I'd love to make it today since I have 2 very ripe bananas but I don't have an extra 1-2 weeks to let the lavender and the sugar sit. Could I just make the lavender sugar for the recipe without letting it sit or is the taste not as good?

    ReplyDelete
  5. It would never be the same as the sugar takes on the most beautiful flavor!

    But If you want to add the lavender and the sugar without infusing them together I'm sure it would still be nice!

    ReplyDelete
  6. You know I've realized after many years of baking I've done the default baking hallmarks: chocolate cake, blueberry muffins, banana bread, chocolate chip cookies, apple pie... all that good stuff. Sometimes the avid baker needs a change. That's why I love this recipe: it's a *unique* and delicious variation on a classic recipe. The lavender and banana together is such a stellar combination. :)

    My solution to not having enough time to infuse the lavender with the sugar was pureeing the banana and lavender in a food processor. The bread was delicious. I am going to make some lavender sugar to do it right next time but I am glad I found a way to make it work. Thanks for your help!

    Ps. I wasn't sure where the 1/4 c. milk fit into the recipe since it wasn't specified in the directions so I just added it into the batter. I hope that was right?

    ReplyDelete
  7. I would have never thought to add lavender for my banana bread, but I can totally imagine it being magical. I'm loving the She & Him album, too. Happy holidays!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Greetings from Scotland.

    I like banana and i like lavender, but i would never had thought of combining them together - tempted to try it the next time i have ripening bananas on th windowsill.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...