Kid friendly banana bread - sugar and dairy-free and perfect for mid-morning snack. It toasts brilliantly and freezes really well.
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When I used to work in an office, I had a few treat days to get me through the week.
On Wednesdays, there was an amazing farmer’s market right under my building. Every week I would buy the simplest lunch of fresh cheese and a ciabatta and make a cheese toastie back at the office.
It was followed by a spelt brownie. I was in such a habit of this the brownie lady used to put one aside for me each week.
On Fridays, my treat was a slice of warm, toasted banana bread, lathered in butter from the cafe under the building.
It was the thickest slice and I used to cut it into fingers, then squares to try and make it last as long as possible. Sure it was totally unhealthy but it got me through.
Now I work from home and have kids, I don’t rely so much on food treats to get me through the week (is it bad that I did once?!) but boy oh boy do I still love banana bread.
It took me years to master the cafe-style loaf but now that I have to share with a certain little boy, I like to make things healthier.
Enter kid friendly banana bread (sugar and dairy free).
If you didn’t know that this was missing the refined sugar and dairy and had some added healthy bits you would never guess.
It is dense just like cafe-style and toasts brilliantly.
It also freezes really well - just make sure you put a little piece of baking paper or freezer go-between between each slice so it doesn’t stick together.
I’ve made it so many times since I made it up and somehow we power through a loaf in just a few days.
I know that it defeats the purpose of making it dairy-free but seeing as I am totally fine with dairy, I like to smother mine with a nice blob of butter after a quick toasting.
Perfect for a mid-morning snack or to get you through the day. Enjoy!
Recipe
Kid friendly banana bread (sugar and dairy free)
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- ½ cup oil
- 1 carrot ends trimmed and chopped into chunks
- 4 bananas chopped
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tbs coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Pinch salt
- ⅓ cup almond meal
- 1 cup wholemeal flour
- ⅓ cup wheat germ
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 160C(320F) fan-forced and grease and line a loaf tin so the paper extends over the long sides.
- In the bowl of a Thermomix or food processor, blitz the eggs and coconut sugar together until light in colour and airy (speed 5 on the Thermi - about 30 seconds).
- Add the oil and give a quick mix.
- Add the carrot, bananas, cinnamon, coconut milk and vanilla and mix until the mixture is smooth (speed 7 initially then reduce to 5).
- Add the almond meal, flour, wheat germ and baking soda and mix to combine.
- Scrape down the sides and mix again.
- Spread the batter into the tin and bake for 45 min - 1 hour or until a cake tester inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Leave to rest in the tin for 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve sliced fresh or toasted.
Fiona says
Hi Claire, where do I find Tao vanilla? :)
Claire says
Hi Fiona. Sorry that should have been 1 tsp vanilla. I have fixed it up. You had me stumped with that one :-)
Claire says
Sorry Fiona that's meant to be a tsp! You had me with that question. I've just updated it. Thanks for pointing that out.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I've never been one to be "free" on anything (obvious to anyone who meets me) but maybe I should start. What a wonderful bread and I hope you told that man you couldn't get the cot inside. Be careful.
Claire says
haha I told him my husband would bring it in thinking he'd say oh no I will but no such offer!
Hotly Spiced says
This is excellent Claire and a wonderful recipe for children. Love how it's dairy free and sugar free. The coconut sugar would give it lovely flavour. Laughed and sympathised with you about your delivery guy experience. Just read Maureen's blog and her delivery guy is amazing! Mine's appalling. Not only because of his vile BO but also because he chucks packages over the fence and leaves packages out in the rain - so, so, so, lazy xx
Claire says
Haha I just read about your delivery guy. Mine aren't that bad but one of them just throws things towards the front door and yells 'parcel' very loudly!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Hehe I'd slather a dairy free one in butter too I suspect (it's all about moderation or so they tell me! :P).
Claire says
Haha yes that's right moderation!
Kate says
I have a spelt banana bread I tend to stick too but you may have enticed me to try this one it sounds delicious :)
Claire says
I hope you like it Kate!