Ryan and I are moving back to Colorado in four days. FOUR DAYS! I wish I could say our apartment was neatly organized, boxes stacked and clearly labeled. But unfortunately, we still have a lot of work to do. Because instead of packing, Ryan and I have been eating. We figure, we might as well enjoy all the best Austin has to offer before we move back home.
And when I think about: the meals we had at Uchi and La Condessa this weekend are well worth the extra long days of packing we’ll have on Wednesday and Thursday.
We’re also trying (underscore trying) to prepare ourselves and our animals for the 16 hour drive ahead. Cricket does not like cars. Margot isn’t a big fan either (she threw up on me on our way to Houston for Thanksgiving). If anyone has traveled cross-country with cats, please let me know any and all secrets! We need all the help we can get.
But thankfully, even if Cricket does decide to howl and meow through the great state of Texas and beyond, we’ll have this naturally sweet banana bread to alleviate some of the tension. Banana bread reminds me of Christmas. We always make several loaves to share with friends and family that stop by during the holidays. As much as I love banana bread, I find most varieties far too sweet. I wanted to create a recipe that was moist and flavorful. A recipe that didn’t scream sugar at first bite.
Maple syrup turned out to be the perfect substitute for white sugar. Instead of a cup of the granulated variety, I only used 1/3 cup of high-quality pure maple syrup. And let me assure you: the bread tastes amazing. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to using sugar again! Even more moist and even more flavorful, this maple syrup banana bread needs to be part of your holiday baking plans.
We’ll be taking this loaf with us on our road-trip, and then I’m sure I’ll be baking a few more as the weeks roll on.
Maple Syrup Banana Bread
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3-4 very ripe bananas
2 eggs
1/3 cup maple syrup
2 TBSP sour cream
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a standard loaf pan with parchment paper and grease well.
2. Mash the bananas in a small bowl. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Set both bowls aside.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk the eggs and maple syrup for 10 minutes (yes, 1o minutes!) The egg mixture will grow in volume. Drizzle in oil. Stir in bananas and sour cream; and then gently fold in flour. Do not overmix. Spread into prepared pan.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Allow to cool for 20 minutes before removing from pan. Enjoy.
Good luck packing and safe travels!!!
Monet,
Have a safe trip, and Happy Moving! Enjoy your banana bread, It looks scrumptious.
Monet,
Have a safe trip! Enjoy your banana bread, It looks scrumptious.
WHOOAA! That is so soon! How you find the time to bake while I am sure you are trying to pack and get organized is beyond me. You are wonder woman!
Have a great move! So excited for you!!
Packing is the worst! I think you were right to take time to enjoy yourselves and leave packing until later – I find that it always takes as much time as you have, so if you start a week early, it will take you a week to pack because you go slowly, but if you start 2 days early, you can do it all in 2 days. Good luck! (and also that banana bread looks amazing!)
Hey sweet friend! It’s such a crazy time of year to keep up with everyone, isn’t it!
This banana bread sounds delightful and would surely make love;y edible gifts!
Let’s get back in touch after you are settled! Happy moving.
I love maple syrup in banana bread. I’ve been using it ever since I had to cut sugar out of my life (so sad), and I actually think I like it better that way.
Safe travels to you two! I know how the pet car rides go for our 12 hour drive to see family. Wish I knew some tips. Maple syrup sounds delicious with banana bread! I am trying to cut back on sugar so this is perfect.
Safe travels to you and Ryan as you embark on the long drive (and may the animals behave themselves).
Your bread looks delicious and the perfect treat after spending a day Christmas shopping 🙂
You guys can do it! Just breathe. 🙂 Maple with banana sounds like a perfect, comforting combination!
I wish you best of luck with your move! I am so happy for you that you will be close to family xoxo
The banana bread sounds absolutely wonderful! Safe travels, and good luck with the pets on the way…
Good luck on the move!! It must be so exciting to go back home and be surrounded by family again 🙂
Good luck my friend 😀
I am sure you stay safe and ahppy! – Love this bread btw 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Oh wow, love this bread! Hope the move is going well. Thinking of you 🙂
First time in your blog and I must say I am totally digging your recipes! Since I moved to Mexico I have loved incorporating Mexican crema (really similar to sour cream) into my recipes- but have never thought of doing it to banana bread, will def do next time!
Best of luck with your move!
I love banana bread and it looks so good! Good luck with the move and getting the furry kids there without too much fuss and bother. We began acclimating our dog to car travel when she was a puppy and it seems the strategy worked. She wears a comfortable harness and is clipped into a doggie seat belt in the back seat. She can move around quite a bit but is safe from flying through the windshield should we stop short. We put a large blanket back there for her to relax on, and something with a familiar scent like a toy or one of our sweaters. We stop every couple of hours for a quick leg stretch, drink of water and potty break. No problems at all.
What a delicious looking cake! Good luck with the move.
Cheers,
Rosa
Love your blog!!
Check out mine, and if you like we can follow eachother on Bloglovin’ & GFC? Let me know and will follow straight back! Looking foward to hearing from you
http://www.kellyjade.co.uk
xox
Kelly
colorado! wow – congrats and good luck.
Safe travels! This bread sounds fabulous.
Love that you substituted maple syrup for white sugar – how clever! And good for you posting on your blog just days before your big move – you’re more ambitious than I would be. =) Hope the move is a huge success (in just two days, right?) – can’t wait to hear all about it on your blog!
This is such a lovely loaf! I would love to bake this sometime. I like the idea of using maple syrup instead of sugar. Have a safe drive to CO and I hope the move goes well.
I hope your trip was safe Monet! This bread sounds delicious! I love the use of maple syrup here, such a beautiful flavor! Hope you have a wonderful week :)!
oh YUM! Maple syrup banana bread sounds like heaven – and I bet this is something that you could REALLY easily substitute almond flour for the all purpose. HAve a safe trip my love – been thinking about you lots lately, even though Ive been missing a bit from blogosphere. Cant wait to hear all about the new chapter in your lives!
Good luck for your drive back!
I have everything I need to make this tonight just in time for a snow breakfast tomorrow morning. 🙂 I hope you and Ryan are doing well after the move and that you’re feeling fantastic!
I would have written to you about travelling with your cats since I moved cities with THREE in my car, but clearly as I’m just getting caught up it seems you’re already there! Hope it went ok.
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