Flour's Famous Banana Bread

I thought I had found a really good banana bread/muffin recipe...until I found Flour's Famous Banana Bread.....NOW my search is complete!

This recipe was created by Joanne Chang when her Mom would buy a lot of bananas and try getting the kids to eat them--it was a protection thing :) Good thing for us they had a lot of banana's in their household!

This is THE best recipe I've tried for banana bread, and I've tried quite a few. It is light, has beautiful crumb, and out of this world flavour {I let my banana's get black, black...D asked if I was trying to make vanilla beans ;)}. I made them Sunday morning, and they were gone the next day.

They are that good.

I'm not a fan of nuts in most of my baking, so I omitted them from this recipe. But, you feel free to do what you want :)

Flour's Famous Banana Bread

{Makes one 9-inch loaf}

1&1/2 c unbleached all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. kosher salt {I just used regular table salt}

1 c. plus 2 TBS sugar

1/2 c canola oil
2 eggs

3&1/2 very ripe, medium bananas, peeled and mashed {1&1/3 c mashed}

2 TBS creme fraiche or sour cream {I haven't made creme fraiche yet, so I just used sour cream}

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3/4 walnut halves, toasted and chopped {I left these out and added chocolate chips to have the batch}

>>Position a rack in the center of the oven, and heat to 325 degrees F. Butter a 9x5in loaf pan.

>>In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.

>>Using a stand mixer fitted witht he whip attachment {or a handheld mixer}, beat together the sugar and eggs on medium speed for about 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. {If you are using a handheld mixer, this same step will take about 8 minutes}

>>On low speed, slowly drizzle in the oil. Don't pour the oil in all at once. Add it slowly so it has time to incorporate in the the eggs and doesn't deflate the air you have just beaten into the batter. Adding it should take about 1 minute. Add the bananas, creme fraiche, and vanilla and continue to mix on low speed just until combined.

>>Using a rubber spatula, fold in the flour mixture and nuts{chocolate chips :D} just until thoroughly combined. No flour streaks should be visible and the nuts should be evenly distributed. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.

>>Bake for 1 to 1&1/4 hours, or until golden brown on top and the center springs back when you press it. If your finger sinks when you poke the bread, it needs to bake a little longer. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes, and then pop it out of the pan to finish cooling.

>>The banana bread can be stored tightly wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 3 days. Or, it can be well wrapped in plastic wrap and frozen for up to 2 weeks; thaw overnight at room temperature for serving.

So, so, so very yummy!

This recipe comes from the book: flour: Spectacular Recipes from Boston's Flour Bakery + Cafe.....love this book! I highly recommend it for the gorgeous pictures, Joanne's essential baking tips, and mouth-watering collection of almost 150 recipes from Flour.

I can't wait to try the rest of her recipes! So many delectable choices :)

Winter Wonderland

 Several weeks ago on a Saturday, I woke up to this all around and crystal clear skies and brilliant sun.

 I was wowed and jumped in my car to see if I could capture any of the awe I felt for God's creation.

 I decided just to drive further north to see the pristine beauty the snow caused on the land.

 It was relaxing to be only one of a handful of people driving around in a sea of white. I looked for some deer {for Dave} but they must have been in a hidey-hole or something.

 It was so pretty. So still and quite.

 Filled my heart with awe for my Creator.

 Driving up and down hills gave sweet views.

 It may get dark really early,

 and temperatures may drop to below -30,

 but, when you look for the beauty in winter...how can you not love this season?

 The road just...vanishes into a cloud of white.

 I just love the back country roads...you could drive for miles and still be in the middle of nowhere!

 Such magnificent views.

 Lots of ranches and farms around here. And lots of animals...both domestic and wild!

 While driving out of my cul-de-sac yesterday, I saw a shadowy figure on one of the lawns. It looked like a horse, but...in the middle of town? No way...we're close to farms, but not that close. Anyway, I angled my car a bit and turned on my brights. Um...that shadowy shape? Yeah, not a horse...just a cow moose lumbering around in the neighbour's front lawn. I rolled my window down in disbelief and watched as she made her way to the backyard. Alright, if I had any doubts before, now I KNOW I live in the middle of nowhere :D

 {And loving it, by the way :}

 How could I not with such beauty around me?

Happy Winter!

Pinterest: Eclair Cake

 I made this chocolate eclair cake several months ago, but am just  now getting around to posting it on my blog. Ever since winter began--back in early September--I've not had the gumption to go to the library and use their WiFi  {Ok, so winter didn't technically start in September, but it did start on Thanksgiving Day...and the second Monday in October doesn't make it any better!} It's starting to get dark around 4/5 and that is a sign for bed...not galavanting around town!

Anyway, back to the cake :)

It was....different, but pretty good. It was light, fluffy, and a right amount of sweetness. The only thing I didn't like about this cake was the crust. It didn't fit the amount of filling and was--for me--unbalanced. Normally, when you think of an eclair, the filling is pretty much encased by the pastry and the amount of filling to pastry is balanced. I love the idea of this cake and it was good. I will just have to re-work the crust to fit my tastes if I do make it again :) Or, maybe change up the pan size...

All in all...a Pinterest food success :) Here's the link if you want to try it out yourself: www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2009/06/chocolate-eclair-cake.html

Have a great night!

Pinterest: Oatmeal Cream Pies...Homemade

These are delicious. 

The cookies are full of flavour and great texture.

Neither the cookie or cream filling are too sweet...they are just right together {or alone! Although, I don't know why anyone would just eat the filling by itself :P} That top cookie is just bursting with yummy-ness ;)

These are so simple to make and assemble. You can make the cookies ahead of time and fill on the day you would like to eat them. Keep them in a cool spot.

These were the first batch I made and the cookies were a bit thick to my liking. I have since made them thinner and they resemble Little Debbie's Oatmeal cream pies...much better though ;)

I would rate this a smashing success from my Pinterest cookie board! Try them...you're bound to love 'em!

Cookies:

1 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1 tablespoon molasses

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 eggs

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1 1/2 cups quick oats

Cream Filling

2 teaspoons hot water

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow cream {This must be an American thing, b/c here I can only find Marshmallow Fluff...works for me!}

1/2 cup vegetable shortening

1/3 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit

Combine flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon in a bowl.  In large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars. Add in eggs, beating after each. Finally beat in molasses {I add about a tablespoon more} and vanilla.  Add to the flour mixture to creamed mixture and beat until just blended; mix in the oats with a wooden spoon.  Drop dough by tablespoons on parchment lined sheets, with plenty of space in between.  Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until just starting to brown around the edges.  Let sit on cookie sheet for about 5 minutes and then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

While the cookies bake prepare the filling. In small bowl, dissolve the salt in the hot water. Set aside and allow this to cool.  Combine marshmallow cream {Fluff :)}, shortening, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a bowl; mix on high until fluffy (3-4 minutes) {If you're using Fluff, just mix until combined.}.  Add the cooled salt water and mix well.  Spread filling on flat side of one cookie, press 2nd cookie on top.

Enjoy!

Lots of Pictures!

Here are some pictures {in no particular order!} that hopefully paint a picture of this part of Alberta. The pictures do not do justice to the majestic pines or fields of rippling canola. They don't capture the sense of smallness you have when the land is stretched out before you--on all sides--far beyond your eye can see. It seems as if the heavens and earth meet and the world really is flat. The sunsets are glorious and the sunrises make getting up early a treat. And the clouds. No words for those. God's creation out here is just beautiful. I am so looking forward to fall and all the gorgeous colours!!

I look at this and think, Thomas Kinkade.

This one too.

This is in our little town. There are several silos and trains.

Dave captured this little guy playing by the tracks.

This is also in our town. I love the reflection in the water.

Love the colours!

These are from a couple weeks ago when we went out to Cozy Cove. It's a little campground where people can park their campers and just relax. {Our church is having family camp there in just a few weeks} Anyway, Ray & Silvana invited us out there for supper {had SO much fun with them & another couple as well} and we were able to go the lake to watch the sunset.

Old cars for Uncle Randy :D

This one is fuzzy, but it's a BUFFALO! To some of ya'll, it might not be a big deal...but this was the first time I had seen one up close and personal. Well, as personal as you can get with a fence between you :p I remember there were a TON of mosquitos!

This is the Wap-i-ti River. I remember seeing this from my plane ride and thinking, "Yuck, that is so muddy!"  Well, it was just as muddy from ground level! It is a very fast moving river that starts up in the mountains and causes its browness. I will admit though, with the sun shining on it, the Wapiti sparkled!

Dave got this one of a woodpecker. Pretty neat.

We went to look at dino bones and there was a dry creek bed we had to cross...FILLED with stones. Next time Dave says we're going for a hike, I'm wearing my running shoes. I wore flip-flops because I didn't think we were going to pretend we were Lewis & Clark, :p

There's quite a few of ranches around here. It almost feels like the Wild, wild West, :)

Lots of old barns too. And old houses. And just old stuff in general hidden in some hidden fields.