Banana Coconut Bread
Everyone has a favorite moist banana bread recipe. This Banana Coconut Bread is my personal favorite and has gained recognition from a few other prestigious critics as well.
This vivid memory of my four year old son makes me smile every time I think of it.
I walked into the kitchen one afternoon to see his pale-blue eyes, half covered in disheveled hair, peeping over the counter top. …No, let me correct that. Intensely glaring over the edge of the counter, at the bananas that sat there.
I asked, “Carson, are you hungry?”
“Yes,” he sheepishly replied.
“Would you like a banana?”
He paused a moment, then in a tormented tone answered, “No. (long pause) I’m waiting for the bananas to DIE, so I can eat banana bread!”
Banana Coconut Bread, the utopian state to which all bananas aspire. Or at least that is the belief in my house. Everyone enjoys a ripe banana. Yet they all, husband included, leave them sitting there. Hoping, if there are 3 bananas left when they turn dark, this supreme treat will emerge.
Ah, the lesson of delayed gratification.
I’m enormously intrigued watching my children ponder this virtue of patience. Mediocre satisfaction now, or jovial bliss later. Hmmm…
This ultra moist banana bread recipe is a must-try. The butter, applesauce and bananas create a dense tender texture that is hard to resist. The addition of shredded coconut and almonds provide that extra something that take this bread to the next level. I’ve tried many moist banana bread recipes over the years, but this Banana Coconut Bread is the best in my opinion!
Yield: 8 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Banana Coconut Bread
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 stick of softened butter
1/4 cup applesauce
2 eggs
2 large or 3 small very ripe bananas, smashed
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
¾ cup shredded coconut
¾ cup chopped nuts (almonds, pecan, walnuts…)
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease and flour a 9X5 loaf pan. (1.5 quart capacity)
Using an electric mixer, cream the sugar and butter together until light and fluffy. Then add the applesauce, eggs and bananas. Mix until combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together all the dried ingredients. Slowly beat the dry mixture into the wet.
Add the coconut and chopped nuts. Mix well.
Pour the batter into the loaf pan. Bake for 20 minutes, then lower the temperature to 325 degrees F and bake another 40+ minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool for 10 minute in the pan, then flip it out onto a cooling rack.
Other Irresistible Breads:
Cinnamon Raisin Bread ~The Comfort of Cooking
Nutella Swirl Tea Loaf ~ All Day I Dream About Food
Cheddar Scallion Monkey Bread ~ Foodie with Family
Share This Post
Subscribe
Don't miss a post! Subscribe now to receive posts in your email box.
Socialize
Related Posts
45 Responses to “Banana Coconut Bread”
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
-
Pingback: Banana Coconut Bread « Sweet Heat Chefs
I love how simple and yummy this looks! Awesome.
Reply
Sounds great–do you use sweetened or unsweetened coconut?
Reply
Sommer — May 7th, 2012 @ 3:11 pm
I used sweetened, but either would work.
Reply
This looks amazing! I love the addition of coconut…my family also waits for those last 3 bananas
Reply
Haha! Waiting for the bananas to “die.” Kids are the best. Love the addition of coconut.
Reply
I grew up with my mom making banana bread at least once a week. There’s nothing better than some butter on top that seeps into all the crevices
Reply
The combo with the coconut is simply perfect!!
Reply
i get all warm inside when i see brown bananas…it always means warm fresh bread!
Reply
I love a moist banana bread= nothing better!
Reply
Oh I like this. I love the idea to mix coconut and banana together. I’m going to need to put this on my to do list.
Reply
LOL, the utopian state to which all bananas asipre. You crack me up! Gorgeous bread!
Reply
Wonderful crust and perfect texture..love the color of your banana coconut bread, Sommer!
Reply
This looks so good. I want a slice. If I made it, I would have to make it without nuts (my son is allergic).
Reply
Teresa — May 7th, 2012 @ 2:19 pm
Doodler… unfortunately, you might also want to omit the coconut. Coconut is part of the tree nut family. Your son may not be as sensitive to coconuts though. Good luck! And yes, THIS looks awesome, you can almost taste it.
Reply
Waiting for the bananas to “die”…I don’t think it gets more adorable! I have 4 “dead” bananas waiting to get used up….and happy to find a new recipe to use!
Reply
Lovely recipe! Can’t wait to try it! I was also wondering about the sweetened vs. unsweetened coconut. I am going to guess unsweetened.
(PS, I just discovered your blog today and already have 3 recipes I need to make ASAP!)
Reply
Haha, that is the cutest and most honest quote. He is exactly right. Great bread, I would wait for them to die too even though I love bananas.
Reply
Just love the idea of coconut in this banana bread!
Reply
What a wonderful combination of flavors! And I bet the applesauce kept the bread extra moist!
Reply
Wonderful flavors
This looks beautiful, Sommer!
Hugs <3
Reply
Oh, yeah…move over plain ol’ banana bread. This could become a new favorite
Reply
LOL, your son has the right take on bananas! Your bread looks just perfect and the dollop of melted butter on top is driving me bonkers. I feel like there should always be a supply of fresh moist banana bread in the house. Always.
Reply
Oh man! our banana bread looks amazing!!!! I am so into coconut!!
Reply
Aw! That’s so sweet! My kids always have a hard time resisting strawberries unless I tell them I’m making a Dutch Baby or Strawberry Shortcake. Then they have amazing restraint!
Reply
These two go so well together. I made a similar recipe and it was delicious.
Reply
I made this last night! I made it into 4 mini loaves and it’s just fantastic! I was thrilled!
Reply
Sommer — May 8th, 2012 @ 11:23 am
Yay, Carolyn! I’m so glad you like it.
Reply
looks so delicious, now to go check on the banana situation in the kitchen
Reply
Oh my! Looks amazing!
Reply
I like the idea of coconut and banana! I don’t think I’ve tried anything like this.
Reply
I NEVER say no to banana!
Reply
What a fantastic bread, Sommer! I have a handful of bananas and a bag of sweetened coconut begging to be used for this. Saving to try soon!
Reply
Oh this looks so good!! Happy Mother’s Day
Reply
I love what Carson said, about waiting for the bananas to “die.” I have “dead” bananas in the house all the time so I can whip this up in no time. I’m so excited for that coconut flavor to just shine through
Reply
What a lovely story about your family’s ploy to get banana bread. Awesome! I wouldn’t say my boys and husband are as devious but more a case of straight talking ‘Mum look at the bananas they’re crying out for a baking’. I know that means they want banana bread.
I shall definitely add some almonds and shredded coconut to my recipe next time. The combination sounds divine.
Reply
So I tried it at home and it turned out great. I did tweak it a little bit by lowering the sugar to 3/4 cup and I think next time I may try just 1/2 cup because it was still a little sweet for me. But the flavor is great and it’s wonderfully moist but not so much that I feel it would go bad fast. Thanks.
Reply
This looks delish! I currently have four bananas “on death’s bed”…. Only worry is if the mortician, er… baker…. will have time to transform them before they are beyond use?! Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Reply
Great recipe! I drizzled a lemon glaze on top. Next time, I need to add applesauce. I used whole wheat flour and a half cup brown sugar and half cup regular sugar and unsweetened coconut. It turned out incredible especially with the lemon glaze.
Reply
Your banana bread looks just great.. I think I should try it. I am still in searches for that perfect banana bread recipe
Reply
Awesome recipe,
I love banana bread
Here’s anther recipe you might like.
http://www.wascene.com/food-drink/delicious-banana-bread-recipe/
Thanks for sharing,
Soph
Reply
HOOOLLLY MOOOLLYY!!! Made this tonight, ate some and promptly posted on my facebook that I had just made the best banana bread I have ever tasted. Ohmygosh. I only had two dead bananas left so I upped my applesauce, AND I added mini semi-sweet chocolate chips. Can’t even handle how perfectly crispy the outside is and moist the inside is. Om nom nom. Thanks!!!
Reply
Sommer — September 7th, 2012 @ 6:06 am
Katie, so glad you liked it!
Reply
Made this banana bread this morning. Decreased the sugar to 3/4 cup. I didn’t have coconut so I used frozen blueberries and I used an egg substitute as my son has an egg allergy. Turned out awesome. I think this will be my new go to banana bread recipe
. Thanks for sharing.
Reply