Harbor Banana Bread
A moist and flavorful banana bread packed with dried apricots, raisins, and walnuts, perfect for breakfast or snack and loved by both kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt.
- Rinse raisins and dry well.
- Chop dried apricots.
- In a large bowl, combine mashed bananas, eggs, sugar, melted butter, buttermilk, and lemon juice; mix well.
- Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined.
- Fold in seedless raisins, chopped apricots, and chopped walnuts.
- Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow to cool before removing from the pan and slicing.
Tips & Substitutions
For a moist banana bread, ensure your bananas are very ripe; the browner, the better. You can substitute the walnuts with pecans or omit them entirely for a nut-free version. If you don't have buttermilk, mix one tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar with regular milk to achieve a similar effect. Consider adding chocolate chips for an extra treat, which pairs beautifully with this Harbor Banana Bread.
Serving Suggestions
Serve slices of Harbor Banana Bread warm or at room temperature, optionally spread with butter or cream cheese. It pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee or tea for breakfast or an afternoon snack. Enjoy it alongside fresh fruit or yogurt to balance out the sweetness, enhancing your experience with this comforting treat.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to three months. To reheat, slice and warm in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or toast slices for a delightful, warm treat.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Harbor Banana Bread contains roughly 372 calories, with 3g protein, 58g carbohydrates, and 16g fat. It is a good source of dietary fiber (12% of the Daily Value), potassium (10% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (10% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 949mg per serving (41% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?
Yes, frozen bananas work well! Thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before mashing. This will give your banana bread the same moist texture as using fresh bananas.
What can I use instead of dried apricots?
If you don't have dried apricots on hand, you can substitute them with other dried fruits like figs or cranberries. Each will provide a unique flavor, but will still complement the banana bread nicely.
How can I tell when my banana bread is done baking?
To check if your banana bread is done, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, it's ready. If it has wet batter on it, give it a few more minutes in the oven.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).