As if banana bread isn’t already a great quick bread for snacking on or with coffee for breakfast, this version, Coconut Banana Bread, is pretty special with the addition of coconut and a bright citrus glaze. You can even add chocolate chips for an even more decadent version!
Editor’s note: This is an updated version of an article originally posted August 2012 with better photos and additional information.
Baking with kids
Our little Cambrie Noelle spent the day with me and we baked coconut banana bread together. She stirred and whisked and mashed and licked and ate coconut right from the bag!
Cambrie had never tasted coconut before our baking session. After a small lick of her finger she discovered she has a great fondness for it. I love watching her try to get a fistful into her mouth without dropping any.
Here is how we make coconut banana bread
Allow the butter, eggs, and yogurt to come to room temperature. If you prefer, substitute apple juice for the rum or just omit it from the recipe.
Mash three very ripe bananas to measure 1 1/2 cups.
Measuring flour for coconut banana bread
The best way to measure flour to get the accurate amount, is to lightly spoon the flour into dry measuring cups and level with a knife.
In a large mixing bowl, add 2 cups of flour, 3/4 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Whisk together until ingredients are distributed.
Place 1 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup softened butter into another large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended (about 1 minute).
Add the 2 large eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
Add the mashed banana, 1/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt, 3 tablespoons rum, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; beat until blended.
Add the flour mixture and beat at low speed just until moistened.
Add 1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut and 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips (if using) to the mixture.
Fold ingredients to combine.
Spoon the batter into a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with 1-2 tablespoons coconut.
The bread is ready for the oven. Bake at 350° F. for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack before removing from pan.
Making citrus glaze for coconut banana bread
In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 1 1/2 tablespoons juice. You can use fresh orange, lemon or lime juice.
Stir with a spoon or small whisk, until smooth.
Drizzle the glaze over the bread while slightly warm. Cool the bread completely on wire rack before serving.
Glazed Coconut Banana Bread
adapted from Cooking Light
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana (about 3 large bananas)
- 1/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt
- 3 tablespoons dark rum (substitute apple juice or omit)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup flaked sweetened coconut plus a little more for the top
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (optional)
GLAZE INGREDIENTS
- 1 tablespoon flaked sweetened coconut
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime, lemon or orange juice
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan by coating with baking spray.
Lightly spoon the flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt, stirring with a whisk to combine.
Place granulated sugar and butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended (about 1 minute). Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add banana, yogurt, rum, and vanilla; beat until blended. Add flour mixture; beat at low speed just until moist. Stir in 1/2 cup coconut.
Spoon the batter into a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray; sprinkle with 1 tablespoon coconut.
Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack; remove from pan.
Combine the powdered sugar and juice, stirring with a whisk; drizzle over slightly warm bread. Cool bread completely on wire rack.
When the baking and cleanup was finished it was on to more busy time activities with Cambrie. I polished her fingernails and toenails…
then she ate three bananas…
then she was a wee bit impish…
then she melted my heart with those soft brown eyes…
and I had to give her a hug…
and kiss those soft cheeks!
Not only does Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop like this bread, I am assuming Cammie likes it a lot too, since she ate two slices, stuffing her mouth way too full with each bite.
The best-est days are those spent with a two-year-old!
♥
The best-est days are those spent with a two-year-old!
♥
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Cambrie stoll my heart today with her pretty brown eyes. I figure she is most proud to have such a young looking grandma. The bread recipe is a gift, especially because of the coconut. Thank you for sharing.
she's so cute
You just can't go wrong when coconut is involved and of course having that sweet little helper Cambrie.
She is such an adorable child! Love the "impish" photos! What a special time for the two of you…to be able to spend time "one on one" time with each other!
She is such an adorable child! Love the "impish" photos! What a special time for the two of you…to be able to spend time "one on one" time with each other!
Awe, Cambrie is adorable. I love her dress. So sweet that she got to spend the day baking with grandma!
SO SWEET!You are great Grand mother! And crochet dress is beautiful! Hello from Russia, Nika
She's adorable….can't believe how much she's grown. I love the little dress you made her!!!
What an adorable child. I love baking with my Morgan, too. Can't wait to try your recipe. Anything with coconut has to be good!
She is adorable. Love the recipe, too.
SWEET! From the yummy looking banana bread to your adorable grandlittle! She is a doll! & I also love the beautiful ones of both of you together.
Did you crochet her dress too? I am crocheting some yokes to sew onto little dresses for our grandbaby and think Cambrie's looks so cute!
Blessings & Aloha!
(I am finally getting around to my blog visits! Thank you for your sweet comment and letting me know that my post format was just fine…it was not showing up correctly for me while we were away!) (Oh also, love your new blog header).
That bread looks and sounds delicious! Wonderful photo!
your pictures are amazing!
That looks delicious and your granddaughter looks adorable! Did you make her dress? Enjoy!
What a sweetheart! and your pictures are so wonderful…and your bread looks wonderful too. I loved that baked bean recipe with pineapple in it. Oh so much. I actually made it!!! lol. thanks Lorraine.
"Cambrie"….wonderful name! Oh, I loved her poses and her innocent face. Her dress looks so BEAUTIFUL, just like HER!!
I loved this bread…so full of flavours….yum!!
https://cosmopolitancurrymania.blogspot.hk/
This sounds delicious, we often have banana bread but it never looks this good. Will definitely give this a try. Cambrie is so cute in her beautiful dress. I totally agree with Kitty above, she looks like you.
She is so cute! And your recipe looks Yummy! Love Heather
The bread sounds wonderful, but your little helper with her crocheted dress, is adorable!! Gosh, does she ever look like you!!!! What a beautiful job you did on the dress for your little cutie.
How sweet you both are! Cambrie's little dress is just adorable. I have a coconut banana bread recipe I use and it is absolutely delicious so I know yours is good (especially with a shot of rum, though I could take that on the side
Ha! Best wishes and blessings, Tammy
I don't know what looks sweeter, the bread or Cambrie. She is a little doll and that dress is adorable on her
This looks delicious, and your helper is beyond adorable – love her name!
This is a wonderful looking loaf and I have to say quite unique too
But this sweetie is soooooooooo cute…..!
What a sweet kitchen helper you have LDH, This recipe sounds so delicious. I have now copied it. Thanks for sharing.
Sue
Precious pictures, can't think of a better way to spend the day than with grandchildren…you are indeed a blessed woman
Cambrie is adorable and I love her crocheted dress (by Mom-Mom?). This bread sounds so delicious. xo
Such beautiful photos of Cambrie. She is precious and I'll bet you made that sweet dress she is wearing. What fun to have an assistant in the kitchen. What a blessing she is!
It's all delicious! You are such a wonderful Mom-Mom….
The bread looks good. But even better is your little helper in that adorable dress!
I am saving that recipe, Lorraine. Cammie is just darling! I'll bet you made that dress, didn't you? It looks like you had a wonderful, wonderful day. I love those 2 year olds- xo Diana
I might have to try this bread. Hubby doesnt like coconut but me and the kids do. Your grand daughter is so adorable!