Tag: Banana

Banana Bread Cookies

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I love banana bread and these “bites”, or cookies, satisfy that craving without having to bake – and eat – and entire loaf of banana bread! Feel free to replace the chocolate chips with walnuts or simply add both – or leave both out. Totally up to your tastes!

Banana Bread Cookies

1 stick unsalted butter, soft
1/2 cup white granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 cup mashed bananas or 3 bananas
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups white all-purpose flour
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a large bowl beat together the soft unsalted butter with the white granulated sugar and packed light brown sugar until the mixture is light in color and fluffy in texture. This will take about 4 minutes.

Beat in the large eggs and mashed bananas. Beat in the pure vanilla extract, baking soda, ground cinnamon and salt.

Fold in the white all-purpose flour and semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Place in tablespoon size dollops onto the prepared baking sheets and leave about 2 inches between each cookie.

Bake, one sheet at a time, in preheated oven for 13 minutes. Remove and allow to cool slightly before enjoying.

CHEW THIS! Comforting Banana Bread

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Comforting Banana Bread

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The following “Chew This!” column has been reprinted from “The Courier-Times”, Sunday, September 2nd 2018 edition. By: Blaise Doubman

Facebook Questions and Comforting Banana Bread
Blaise Doubman

I have been getting several emails about my Blaise the Baker Facebook page. Let me clear the air on that subject first before we continue with my column and recipe for banana bread. My Facebook accounts, both private and public, were compromised about a month ago. I thought I had solved the various problems but the problems and issues reoccurred not long after the initial hacking. The safest thing for me to do, for my friends and followers, was to delete both accounts and start over. Facebook will not allow me to start over with my pages until a certain amount of time has passed. As soon as my pages are up and started again I will be sure to let you know the appropriate links so that you can follow along with me again.

There has been a bit of a silver lining in all of this though because it has given me a chance to really sit back and think about how I want to “relaunch” Blaise the Baker and it has also given me this wonderfully delicious recipe for banana bread! How? I needed some comfort after all the hacking news, etc. so I decided that I would develop a new recipe for one of my favorite comforting things – banana bread! This one is simple, delicious and very flavorful. I have several recipes for banana bread, one using a yellow cake mix, one calling for bits of toffee and another that uses sour cream and is studded with cranberries and walnuts. This one though is simple in process and fabulous in flavor. I take the finished bread and cut it into huge slices but feel free to cut the slices according to your tastes, or your level of comfort needed.

Comforting Banana Bread

This banana bread will last for several days when wrapped in plastic wrap and kept at room temperature. Lightly toast the bread and smear with unsalted butter or cream cheese for an even more delicious comforting treat.

1 ¾ cups white all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup white granulated sugar
2 large eggs
3 ripe bananas, mashed
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup walnuts, toasted (optional)

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a regular size loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray containing flour.

In a large bowl whisk together the white all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

In another large bowl beat together the softened unsalted butter with the white granulated sugar until light in color and fluffy in texture. Beat in the large eggs.

Stir in the mashed bananas and pure vanilla extract. Gently fold in the whisked dry ingredients.

Add in the toasted walnuts, if using, and stir until just combined.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top. Bake in preheated oven for 44 minutes. The top will be split and golden brown in color.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 5 minutes before turning it out onto a piece of parchment paper to cool completely. Cut into large comforting slices and serve.

Ask and Answer: Several people have messaged me to ask more about my position as a “Glen Oaks Health Campus Family Ambassador” and what it means. Lots of you have had loved ones admitted into Glen Oaks in the last several months and remember reading about my position there. What an Ambassador does is basically help represent Glen Oaks Health Campus as a whole. I am here to answer any questions you may have about the facility or address any concerns you may have. I also have written a “business review” of Glen Oaks Health Campus, which can be found on my website, blaisethebaker.com

CHEW THIS! Chocolate Banana Bread Bars

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Chocolate Banana Bread Bars

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The following “Chew This!” column has been reprinted from “The Courier-Times”, Sunday, February 4th 2018 edition. By: Blaise Doubman 

A New Take on Banana Bread…
Blaise Doubman

I love banana bread and I have experimented with countless recipes over the years. There has been banana bread with nuts, without nuts, with sour cream, with extra butter, melted butter, softened butter, a combination of butter and vegetable shortening, brown butter banana bread, banana bread with raisins and even a banana bread made with a yellow cake mix. If you think that is a lot, consider the fifty other versions I have tried but did not want to mention in fear of readership boredom and lack of room. Seriously though banana bread, to me, always needed something extra. No, not cinnamon and no, not extra bananas, that only makes the finished loaf tough in the end, I have tried it! I have always thought it was missing… chocolate!

Chocolate! Yes, chocolate. I am a registered chocoholic and proud of it. Anything and everything, to me, is better with chocolate and this recipe is no exception! It took a few rounds in the kitchen with this recipe before it was perfect but the finished result was well worth the extra time and extra work. My taste testers, shout out to Tiffany at Glen Oaks, loved this so much that they encouraged me to bring it again – that next day! Ha! The bread is baked in an untraditional way, in a 9×13-inch baking pan, but does so because you cut this bread into bars! The combination of the moist flavorful banana bread with the chocolate version is pure and utter heaven for banana and chocolate lovers! I highly recommend you stir up a batch of these!

Chocolate Banana Bread Bars

These really stretch when it comes to cutting serving sizes, so cut the bars small and serve for a large gathering! If you want to freeze the leftover bars, do so by wrapping tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil before placing into a freezer safe zipper bag. Once frozen, bring to room temperature over night to gently thaw before eating.

1 stick unsalted butter, soft
1 cup white granulated sugar
4 large bananas, peeled and mashed
1 large egg
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 ½ cups white all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil and spray with a non-stick spray containing flour.

Beat together the soft unsalted butter with the white granulated sugar until light in color and fluffy in texture. Add in the prepared bananas, large egg and pure vanilla extract. Beat well.

Finally, fold in the white all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Measure out a little less than 2 cups of this mixture and drop by large spoonful’s erratically around the inside of the prepared pan.

Add the unsweetened cocoa powder to the remainder of the batter in the bowl and beat well.

Place the now chocolate banana batter in spoonful’s around the batter that has already been placed in the pan. Do not worry about being neat with this. You will see why in a minute.

Now, with the back of a spoon, carefully spread out all of the dollops so that they gently form together and come together into one large even batter service. Next, take a knife and gently swirl the batter together making a marble effect on the top.

Place in preheated oven for exactly 25 minutes.

Remove and allow to cool slightly before cutting, serving and enjoying.

Ask and Answer: I heard from so many of you with my previous column of my chocolate mayonnaise cake and I love and appreciate your feedback! To answer a few of your questions, yes you can use water instead of the coffee, yes you can make the cake in 2 9-inch circle cake pans, the baking time will not change and you may frost the cake with whatever frosting you desire, or simply sprinkle over some powdered sugar and serve alongside a bowl of fruit. I loved hearing your memories of growing up with a cake very similar to mine in your household.

CHEW THIS! Banana Brownies with Caramel Frosting

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Banana Brownies with Caramel Frosting

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The following “Chew This!” column has been reprinted from “The Courier-Times”, Sunday, July 2nd 2017 edition. By: Blaise Doubman 

Banana Brownies Perfect for Summer
Blaise Doubman

In my latest recipe development processes I have been taking the typical chocolate brownie and transforming them into something new and different. How new and different? How does strawberry brownies sound? What about lemon brownies? Both of those can be found inside my cookbook – but what about pineapple brownies or even cherry brownies? Brownies can be fruity and light just as easy as they can be dense and fudgy. People are always a little skeptical but once they take a bite they quickly become fruity brownie believers!

I love banana bread and my love for it is what inspired this recipe. Only several days after I developed it, did I dream up the frosting. Why not pair caramel and bananas? I took my foolproof caramel frosting, made a few tweaks and added it to everyone’s delight, including my own! They were fabulous! These are perfect for making ahead too because the longer they sit the more moist they become. If you choose to, make ahead, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few days. Frost the same day you plan to serve.

Banana Brownies with Caramel Frosting

You can frost these, or leave them plain. I think the caramel frosting pairs nicely with the banana flavor. Experiment and have fun with these! Sometimes I will sprinkle a little ground cinnamon in the caramel frosting or even add a can of crushed pineapple for a caramel and tropical flavor. So delicious!

For the brownies…
2 large ripe bananas, peeled and mashed
1 stick (4 oz) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1 large egg
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup white all-purpose flour

For the frosting…
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons whole milk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 ½ cups confectioner’s sugar

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8×8-inch square baking pan with non-stick cooking spray containing flour.

In a large bowl combine the mashed bananas, softened unsalted butter and light brown sugar. Beat until ingredients are combined and light in color and fluffy in texture.

Beat in the large egg, pure vanilla extract, ground cinnamon and salt.

Finally, gently fold in the white all-purpose flour.

Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Place in preheated oven for 32 minutes. Remove and allow to cool completely before frosting.

To make the frosting combine the unsalted butter, light brown sugar and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Allow this mixture to melt and cook for about 2 minutes.

Add in the whole milk and pure vanilla extract. Cook another 40 seconds and remove from heat. Gently whisk in the confectioner’s sugar.

Evenly pour and spread over cooled brownies.

Cut and serve.

Ask and Answer: I have gotten several messages about how to transform chocolate chip cookies into something a little more special. Here is what I do – I use semi-sweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips in the cookies. Before placing them into the oven to bake, sprinkle the tops of each with a little sea salt. People will go crazy over the combination of the two different types of chocolate as well as the salty on top to pair with the sweet.

CHEW THIS! Chocolate Banana Pudding

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Chocolate Banana Pudding

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The following “Chew This!” column has been reprinted from “The Courier-Times”, Sunday, October 2nd 2016 edition. By: Blaise Doubman 

A chocolate twist on banana pudding…
Blaise Doubman

I have a confession to make! I am a raging, full-fledged, chocoholic! I have tried to control my temptations and I have tried to trace the roots of this problem back as far as my family tree will go, but I have yet to find a reason. I just love chocolate! My Grandma Barbra does not like chocolate that much, nor does my Mom, Darla, or my Grandma Deloris. The men in my family are none dessert lovers and a majority of my family say that chocolate is not even listed on their list of their favorite foods! What? Where did I get this obsession? People often squirm when I tell them my favorite food is chocolate. It really is! I eat chocolate at least twice a day, every day. I love milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, dark chocolate, you name it! Unsweetened chocolate? No. I have tried this with my Mom and given the face I made, no wonder she laughed and laughed. Side note – chocolate is terrible with no sugar!

Every time I make something, even savory things (chili for example), I often think to myself, “How would this be with chocolate”. No matter what it is, I am always wondering how I can add chocolate! True story. I know, it may be a problem, but with some desserts, like the one I am sharing here, it can be a good thing! Chocolate Banana Pudding! Have you heard of anything like this before? If not, that is ok. A lot of the people I surveyed had no idea either so do not feel bad about it. I love the classic, southern staple that is banana pudding. I even have a recipe in my cookbook and on my blog about turning this classic, southern staple into a cake! It is delicious! You should try that too. But first, try this recipe! It is banana pudding, but the chocolate version! Chocoholics rejoice! Finally a banana pudding for you…

Chocolate Banana Pudding

If making this dessert, prepare for people to start talking! A lot of people love this dessert, but it seems that even more people have not heard of it before. My taste testers were a little skeptical about this but once they tried the recipe and tasted for themselves this chocolate version of the classic banana pudding, they fell in love! You can replace the vanilla wafers with chocolate wafers for a “chocoholics” version or even add some sliced strawberries into the mix, which results in a more “chocolate tropical” banana pudding.

For the pudding…
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon white granulated sugar
4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup cornstarch
Pinch of salt
2 3/4 cups whole milk
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, soft
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

For the whipped cream…
2 cups heavy whipping cream
2 teaspoons white granulated sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 large box vanilla wafer cookies

6 large bananas, prepared and sliced

Start by stirring together the white granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, cornstarch and salt in a large saucepan over medium heat with a wooden spoon.

Add the whole milk, and stir constantly until a full boil is reached. This will take several minutes, but you will know when it’s ready because the mixture will appear thick, and will easily coat the back of your spoon.

After thickened, remove from the heat and stir in the unsalted butter and pure vanilla extract. Once combined, let cool slightly. Pour into a large bowl and apply plastic wrap to the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

When ready to assemble the banana pudding, remove the pudding from the refrigerator and remove the plastic wrap. Add about 1 cup of the sliced bananas to the chocolate pudding and stir together very gently, being careful not to break up the sliced bananas.

Make the whipped cream by beating the heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form. After stiff peaks form, stir in the white granulated sugar and pure vanilla extract. Beat for a few additional minutes until the cream is thick and holds a firm peak.

Layer a single layer of vanilla wafer cookies along the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking pan. Pour a little of the chocolate pudding mixture over the top and spread evenly. Spread over a layer of the whipped cream and spread evenly. Place a few of the sliced bananas on top. Repeat these processes until all of the ingredients are used up, ending with the whipped cream on top. Finish by layering vanilla wafer cookies all over the top, and slightly crushing a few and sprinkling over.

Serve immediately, or place in the refrigerator, covered, to chill for up to two days.