Rec/Rev/Pics...Banana Split Zucchini Bread

[Jerryanne]

OH YES I'm still on a zucchini bread creating/baking kick. As long as the garden is willing to give me zucchini, I'm more than happy to use it in SOMETHING.

I've made a lot of different zucchini bread flavors but had never used bananas in any of them. There were 4 bananas left on the counter with a note "DO NOT TOUCH" on them so Bob wouldn't eat them-he has a tendency to do that when I plan on baking with them-when I DON'T have a plan he doesn't touch them-go figure...all I needed was to come up with a recipe.

I knew I wanted to use instant banana cream pudding in the bread.......and then started thinking about what else to add.........and it came to me. How about some of the ingredients used in a banana split? I don't eat them but I know pretty much what goes on them so off I went to dig out ingredients.

I had gotten some dried strawberries for a good price at Aldi's a month or so ago-and for the life of me can't remember what recipe I was going to use them in. I decided rather than use fresh strawberries I'd use the dried ones....I had enough moisture heading into that bread with the squash, bananas and pineapple. They're buggers to chop just like dates are....I ended up spraying the knife with some nonstick cooking spray-that made the job easier.

I went back to my potato ricer for squeezing the excess liquid out of the shredded zucchini and it worked great on the crushed pineapple too.

Since I was using mashed banana in the bread too, I decided to cut the oil amount I usually use in half since you can substitute bananas for part of the oil in cooking. It worked great.....and I like being able to use a little less oil when I can.

What's a banana split without chocolate-so in went some mini chocolate chips.

I decided to make muffins instead of breads-just for a change. I got 18 regular size muffins out of the first batch........they were good but.........lacking something.

I waited for Bob to get home and try one-he said the same......good but something is missing. Then I asked him what he has on a banana split? He had to think about it because it's been so long.......then he brought up 2 ingredients I didn't think of.........maraschino cherries because what's a banana split without a cherry or 2 on top? and he said since he doesn't care for pineapple topping, he opts for marshmallow topping. AHA..........

Back to the drawing board.......I kept everything the same as in batch #1 BUT added chopped maraschino cherries and mini marshmallows that I cut in half in the second batch-and I decided with all those goodies that mini loaves were in order.

This batch is a WINNER.......there are SO many levels of flavor going on. The banana flavor isn't overpowering-I think it's just right. In one bite you might get a burst of strawberry flavor from the dried strawberries, then in another a hint of pineapple and maraschino cherry, and of course chocolate. The marshmallows sort of melted into the bread-they add a nice little touch of sweetness.

I'm VERY happy with the way this recipe turned out. It was fun to make-and more fun to eat! Bob said he liked this one much better than the first try.

I don't see me slowing down making things with zucchini-I've got plenty of recipes using it that I want to try and still have a few ideas for zucchini bread.

This recipe is another one that has taken up residence in my favorite zucchini breads file.

Carol




BANANA SPLIT ZUCCHINI BREAD

3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 c. granulated sugar
1/2 c. vegetable OR canola oil
2 medium bananas, mashed (about 3/4 cup)
2 tsp. vanilla nut OR pure vanilla extract
2 c. shredded zucchini
1 (8 oz.) can crushed pineapple in juice, well drained
3 c. all-purpose flour
1 (4 serving size) pkg. banana creme instant pudding mix
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/3 c. chopped maraschino cherries
1 (4 oz.) pkg. dried strawberries, chopped into small pieces (about 3/4 cup)
1/2 c. mini chocolate chips
3/4 c. miniature marshmallows, cut in half
Raw sugar for sprinkling over top, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease (2) 9x5-inch OR (6) 5x3-inch loaf pans; set aside.

Shred zucchini using on the large whole side of a box grater. Place the shredded zucchini in a mesh strainer to drain; set aside while assembling other ingredients.

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, oil, mashed banana and extract.

With your hands (or a potato ricer), squeeze all the excess moisture you can out of the shredded zucchini, then stir it into egg mixture along with the drained crushed pineapple.

In a medium bowl. whisk together the flour, banana pudding mix, baking soda, baking powder and salt; stir in the chopped cherries, dried strawberries, mini chocolate chips and marshmallow, tossing to coat. Add the flour mixture to the egg/zucchini mixture, stirring just until combined.

Divide batter between the prepared pans. Sprinkle the top of each loaf liberally with raw sugar. Bake @ 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes for the large loaves and 30-40 minutes for the smaller loaves, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let breads cool in pans on wire rack for 15 minutes; remove from pans to wire rack and cool completely, Makes 2 large or 6 small loaves.

[Christine Mlinek]

my goodness you are really getting creative there with the zucchini!

[Ann M]

Oh My Carol,I need to make this! all of the zucchini breads you post,I have made,and they are delicious! So I can put in fresh strawberries then,instead of the dried one's?

[Carol1011]

Wow!! Knock my socks off!! Haven't been on in a while! This looks like an awesome bread. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. Loved reading how you did this one. You are very talented Carol!! Have to try and catch up to all the postings. Will make this as soon as I can get the banana cream pudding. I am going to try and plant zucchini next year. Do not like paying 99 cents a pound.

[Jerryanne]

Christine-at the rate the zucchini is growing here-I need to get MORE creative with recipes!

Ann, I think you and yours will enjoy this one. Robin said Stephen loved it........
I can't say if fresh strawberries would work in this one-I'd be leery because there's so much moisture already from the zucchini and pineapple-and maraschino cherries. If you don't want to use dried strawberries-which are WONDERFUL from Aldi's-I'd just leave them out. There's plenty of flavors going on without them.

HI Carol! I've missed you! So glad to see you back. This is a tasty bread-kind of fun coming up with this one. Thanks so much-I don't know how much is talent or pure LUCK when I get in the kitchen and start experimenting..........I do have fun though. Wish I could EMAIL you some zucchini-they're still sprouting fast and furious!

Thanks everyone,

Carol
Carol

[Carol1011]

Carol... Still too hot to do any baking and the humidity is still here. Yucky! Will be making as soon as it cools down. Thanks for the offer of the zucchini!! You are so lucky to have zucchini. Glad to be back. You are very talented.

[sue211]

Wow oh wow Carol!!

That looks super yummy! Gee I wish I coud bake like you. I got my printer running!

Thank you for sharing!

[Jerryanne]

It's super easy and really good Sue. Hope you enjoy it.

Get outta here-you're a great baker! I do the basics,

Carol

[Smokeysmomm]

Like Carol 1011 I haven't been on in a while either and I come back to find this jewel. AWESOME add in's! sounds like you need more powdered booster extracts. i'm going to order mine this week so i'll have them sent directly to you from Cook's they don't last long around here.

[Jerryanne]

NO NO Cyndy-I have plenty of them from when you sent them the last time.......I'm all set-but thanks for thinking of me.