Thursday, July 28, 2011

Banana Nut Bread or Muffins (Light)

This recipe is originally a bread recipe but if you are in the mood for muffins simply grease or line a muffin tray to make 12 delicious muffins! This is a lightened up version of the classic that I think tastes no different than the full-fat versions, maybe even better.

Banana Nut Bread/Muffins
Makes: 1 loaf or 12 muffins, Serving Size: 1/12th loaf, or 1 muffin
Nurtional Info (per serving): Calories 200, Fat 3.75g, Saturated Fat 2.5g, Cholesterol 41.6mg, Carbohydrates 38g, Protein 3g, Fiber 1.5g, Sodium 158mg

Ingredients
Nonstick baking spray w/flour
1 1/2 cups (7 1/2oz) unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (2oz) cake flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (5 1/4oz) sugar
3 very ripe large bananas (about 1 1/4lbs), mashed well (1 1/2cups)
1/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

Directions
1. Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat oven to 350. Spray the bottom and sides of a 9x5 inch loaf pan or 12 muffin cups with nonstick spray. Mix the all-purpose flour, cake flour, baking powser, baking soda, salt, and 1/2 cup of the sugar together in a medium bowl; set aside. In a separate bowl, mix the mashed bananas, yogurt and vanilla together; set aside.
2. Beat the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and butter together with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3-5 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. Reduce the mixer speed to low. Beat in half of the flour mixture until just incorporated, followed by one-third of the banana mixture, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add half the remaining flour, followed by another one-third of the banana mixture. Repeat this process once more, being careful not to overmix the batter, which should look thick and chunky.
4. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle top(s) evenly with walnuts (if using). Bake until loaf/muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few crumbs attached, about 55 minutes for loaf 15-18 minutes for muffins, rotating the pan halfway through baking. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer ta wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Source: Cooks Illustrated Best Light Recipe

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