GF Banana Loaf with Caramelized Bananas

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Experience the layered flavors of our GF Banana Loaf with Caramelized Bananas. Merging the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with a luscious caramel drizzle, each slice promises a memorable taste adventure.

Begin by caramelizing sliced bananas in a skillet. Melt butter, blend in brown sugar, a hint of cinnamon and a splash of vanilla. As the mixture thickens, introduce the banana slices, ensuring they're well-coated with the caramel. Once done, set them aside for the grand finale.

With your oven warming to 350°F, ready your 9x4-inch loaf pan with a light spray of cooking spray. In a spacious bowl, mash the remaining bananas. To this, add butter, baking mix, eggs, baking soda, cinnamon, vanilla, a touch of salt and a handful of walnuts. Stir until you achieve a consistent batter.

Before this batter finds its way into the pan, there's a walnut topping to prepare. In a separate bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and the remaining walnuts. Pour your batter into the pan, then generously sprinkle this walnut mixture over the top. As it bakes for 40 to 45 minutes, anticipate the comforting aroma that fills your space.

Once baked to perfection, allow the loaf a moment of rest. Then, as it cools on a wire rack, blend the reserved caramel with some butter, finishing with a pinch of cracked salt. When ready, slice your loaf, lavish each piece with the salted-caramel butter and adorn with the caramelized banana slices. This banana loaf, with its layers of flavor and texture, is a nod to the timeless joys of home baking.

Directions:

1. Slice 3 bananas on a bias. In a skillet, over medium heat, melt 1/4 cup butter, add 1/4 cup brown sugar, water, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Simmer until thickened and caramelized. Add banana slices, baste with caramel for 3-4 minutes. Set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 350 °
3. Spray a 9x4-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. 
4. In a large bowl, mash remaining bananas.  Add 1 cup butter, baking mix, eggs, baking soda, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, remaining teaspoon of vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 cup walnuts. Combine well and pour into prepared pan.
5. In a medium-sized bowl, combine 1/4 cup butter, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon salt and remaining walnuts. Sprinkle over batter.  Reserve caramel. Bake for 40-45 minutes.
6. Let rest for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and allow to cool on wire rack. Whip together remaining butter and caramel, top with cracked salt. Slice loaf, spread with salted-caramel butter and top with banana slices.           

Recipe attribution:

Recipe Courtesy of Chef Tricia, ALDI Test Kitchen