Lazy weekends sometimes tend to inspire me. We definitely had a lazy weekend this last weekend. It was cold outside and who wants to go out in that? So, since I had a 3 day weekend and Grumpy was going to only be home with me 2 of those days, I decided to be that 4 letter word....that isn't so dirty after all. L-A-Z-Y. Grumpy was too....if not more so than me!
In between the TV and computer I would go into the kitchen. I went out for a bowl of Heart to Heart Cereal and an orange, then later a rice pudding cup (yes, store bought). Later in the day Grumpy got up and went out to make himself a hot beef sandwich with the leftover roast and gravy. Following him to the kitchen, I took notice of the two bananas that were too ripe to eat as is. I started thinking about bread and coconut and maraschino cherries and pecans. The next hour, my home started to smell amazingly delicious!
It was an agonizing half hour after I took it the bread out of the oven and set it to cool on the counter. Waiting to cut into this bread seemed like forever. Finally, after about 30 minutes I decided I could take it no longer. I sliced off two slices, put a little smart balance butter on top and headed back to my room where I continued to watch my sci-fi movie and got all cozy under covers and savored every bite of that bread.
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ cup Splenda
- 2 very ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 ½ cups White Whole Wheat Flour
- ½ cup flaked coconut
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1-½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ⅓ cup maraschino cherries, chopped
- Mix together flour, coconut, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and chopped pecans.
- In a large mixing bowl, mash bananas well. Add eggs, one at a time, and whisk until mixed well. Add sugar and extract. Beat well. Stir in cherries.
- Add flour mixture, and stir just to combine. Spoon into greased 9x5x3 inch loaf pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes, and remove from pan. Cool.16 servings
Shelby
Well by the end of the day yesterday Linda I was eating the last bit of that bread. Grumpy had 4 slices total. I ate ALL the rest! lol It also feels good knowing I was lazy and my house STILL looks good today. I don't know how that happened!
Linda
I'm so proud of you for being lazy - you deserve it. And also for eating a store-bought rice pudding - LOL! This bread looks so good - I would not have had your will power and would have eaten it all. 🙁
Debbi Does Dinner Healthy
This looks delicious! I might just try this with my gluten free flour blend, thanks!
Shelby
Debbie, let me know how it turns out!
Coleen
What a PRETTY bread!! Thank you for sharing.
Shelby
Thanks Coleen!
Peggy Clyde
Can't wait to try this. It looks very delicious. Thanks.
Shelby
its yummy Peggy 🙂 I am a huge cherry lover and had a hard time NOT eating the bread!
teresa
this is just beautiful!
Shelby
Thank you Teresa 🙂
Katherine Martinelli
Yum! What a great flavor combination - I've never thought of these together but I bet it's amazing.
Shelby
Thanks Katherine!
Leslie
Ohhh. I am loving this combo!
Shelby
Leslie, and its yummy when spending the day in your jammies too! 🙂
Valerie @ From Valerie's Kitchen
This is so pretty Shelby! Sounds like a great combination.
Shelby
Thanks Valerie! It was so yummy 🙂 I finished the loaf off when I was being lazy yesterday afternoon - after I cleaned the closets out!
Joy Calipes-Felizardo
What a lovely looking bread, and yum too. Hope you don't mind if I bookmark this and try it out for my self.
Hope you visit my blog and if it is not too much, please do follow me also. Thanks!
Here is the link:
http://www.gastronomybyjoy.com/2012/01/ffiday-crave-for-quesadillas.html
Shelby
Thanks Joy! I will check your site out 🙂
Peter M
This bread looks yum-world...love the cherry colour inside the bread!
Shelby
Thanks Peter, the cherry flavor is pretty yum too. ;o)
Shelby
Thanks ladies! Its so good I'm having a piece for breakfast right now. ;o) I've already torn my closet apart and once breakfast is over will be putting it back together minus quite a few things thankfully!
honeyb
Mmm, looks good! Glad you have the day off!
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme
Looks absolutely delicious, Shelby! Love your combination of cherries, bananas and pecans. Definitely one to try.
Lizzy
Oh, boy, does this look DELISH!!! And a healthier low cal version is much appreciated!