Those that know me know that I started a new job today. I’m insanely excited about it and it feels good to be connected and motivated about what I do again. Last night I did some baking to (a) give me something to do besides wander around my apartment freaking out and (b) have a nice little treat to bring on my first day.

I decided on one of my go-to favorites, Banana-Coconut Bread with Fresh Lime Glaze
Inspired by MyRecipes: Coconut Banana Bread with Lime Glaze

StY Tweaks: More dairy, mix brown and white sugars, add citrus zest, add baking powder.

Bread

  •  2 cups all purpose flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup white sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup sweetened coconut flakes
  • 3 ripe bananas
  • Juice of 1/2 lime
  • Zest of 1 lime
The brown sugar gives the bread more depth of flavor and an earthiness that keeps the citrus from being too overwhelming.  If making by hand, cream liquid ingredients with the sugar and sift in flour and leavening agents.  If you’re lazy like me, throw it all in the food processor and go to town. Blend just till mixed – overblending/processing will bring out more of the gluten in the flour and you’ll get a flat, glue-y brick.
Glaze

  • 2 tbsp powdered sugar
  • Juice and pulp of 1 lime
  • Optional – 1 tbsp condensed sweetened milk (leftover from last batch of frozen yogurt )
Bake bread at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until toothpick comes out with few crumbs.  NOTE: The extra yogurt makes the loaves slightly cake-y, you’ll never get a clean toothpick unless you overbake and dry it out completely and thats not yummy.   Cool on a rack for 10 minutes then pour glaze over top.
Makes 1 large or 2 small loaves of bread.

Coconut Banana Lime Breads