Coconut Crusted Banana Bread with Citrus Glaze

If you’re in need of a moist, flavorful and comforting banana bread recipe – this is your lucky day! Toasted sweetened coconut, in and on top of this loaf + the citrus glaze adds texture and an additional punch of flavour. This banana bread won’t last long!

Note about toasted coconut: You can purchase toasted coconut at most bulk food stores and/or make your own. Place coconut in a wide shallow pan (frying pan works well) over medium high heat. Once you start to see edges of coconut brown (be sure to keep a good eye on the coconut – because of the high fat content, coconut will toast quickly) slightly, stir coconut (using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula) for about 1 or 2 minutes until just golden/toasted. Remove from heat and place coconut on a plate to cool. Coconut will get ‘crunchy’ as it cools.

Ingredients

• 1⁄3 cup (75 mL) milk
• 1⁄2 tsp (2 mL) lemon juice (or white vinegar)
• 1⁄2 cup (125 mL) softened butter
• 1⁄2 cup (125 mL) brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup (175 mL) all purpose flour
• 3⁄4 cup (175 mL) large flake oats
• 1⁄4 cup (60 mL) Char’s Magic seed mix (see note at bottom of post)
• 1⁄2 tsp (2 mL) baking soda
• 3⁄4 tsp (3 mL) each of ground cinnamon and ground ginger
• 1⁄4 tsp (1 mL) salt
• 2 over ripe bananas, mashed
• 3⁄4 cup (175 mL) toasted sweetened coconut, divided

Citrus Glaze

• 1⁄2 cup (125 mL) icing sugar
• 1 tsp (5 mL) finely grated orange zest
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) orange juice
• 1/4 tsp (1 mL) vanilla extract
• 1⁄4 tsp (1 mL) ground cinnamon

Directions for Glaze

1. Stir together all ingredients and set aside until ready to use.

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Line a 9 X 5-inch (2 L) loaf pan with parchment paper (or grease very well). *See parchment paper trick at bottom of post
2. Stir together milk and lemon juice and set aside.
3. Beat together butter, brown sugar, vanilla and egg until well combined.
4. Fold in dry ingredients until just combined.
5. Stir in mashed banana, 1⁄2 cup (125 mL) toasted coconut and reserved milk mixture until well combined.
6. Pour batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle remaining 1⁄4 cup (60 mL) toasted coconut evenly on top.
7. Bake in the center of preheated oven for about 40 minutes or until the top is golden and toothpick inserted in the center comes out with little crumb.
8. Remove from the oven. Cool slightly.
9. Drizzle prepared citrus glaze evenly over banana bread.
10. Makes 10 slices.

Delicious & Doable Tips:
~ add 1⁄2 cup (125 mL) white chocolate chips to batter
~ add 1⁄2 cup (125 mL) finely chopped candied ginger to batter

Char’s Magic Seed Mix:

Place equal parts chia, ground flax and hemp seeds in a large mason jar and shake to combine. Use in baking, in smoothies or sprinkle on salads for a boost of: plant protein, fibre and healthy fats.

Where to Find ‘Delicious & Doable’ Across Ontario

Find ‘Delicious & Doable ~ Recipes For Real and Everyday Life’ on Amazon (click here) or at one of the below retailers across Ontario:

Type Books ~ 883 Queen Street West, Toronto
Lemonberry ~ 2 Orchard Heights Blvd #10, Aurora
Fanfare Books ~ 92 Ontario St, Stratford
Casual Gourmet ~ 1027 King Street West, Hamilton
The Post Office – 18 Front St. N, Thorold
Chef’s Paradise ~ 1314 Bank Street, Ottawa
Gift It Grey ~ 19492 Opeongo Line, Barry’s Bay
Creative Cook ~ 35 Manitoba St, Bracebridge
Muskoka Brewery ~ 1964 Muskoka Beach Rd, Bracebridge
Stephen’s Butcher Shop ~ 8 Harris St, Port Carling
Hilltop Interiors ~ 1150 ON-141, Rosseau
Cedar Canoe Books ~ 72 Main St E, Huntsville
Clark’s On Main ~ 1090 Main Street, Dorset
Bigley’s Cottage Kitchen ~ 39 Bolton St, Bobcaygeon
Farmer’s Daughter – 72 Main St E, Huntsville
Kitchen Bits ~ 1390 Kingsway, Greater Sudbury

Charmaine Broughton is a Muskoka/Toronto-based cooking show host & guest expert and author of ‘Delicious & Doable ~ Recipes For Real and Everyday Life‘.

‘Delicious & Doable ~ Recipes For Real and Everyday Life’ is on Amazon! Get your copy today!