Cool Days, Warm Oven

Yep, that's what I brought my co-workers for breakfast! I had a few bananas that weren't good for anything more than making banana bread so I told B if he went to the store to get walnuts, I'd make some. He had his shoes on pretty quick! I looked up a new recipe out of my Moosewood Cookbook, and it called for soaking the mashed bananas in a cup of strong coffee. I was considering skipping that step, but when B got back he made some coffee out of the blue. He never makes coffee in the evening so I figured the universe was trying to give me some direction. The bread was fantastic - do not skip the coffee soaking! It adds a rich flavor to the bread, and it won't taste like a cup of Joe.

Blend:
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (about 3)
2/3 cup black coffee

Cream together in a separate bowl:
1 1/2 cups butter or margarine (softened) (3 sticks)
1 3/4 cup brown sugar
4 eggs (add one at a time, mixing well)
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon grated orange rind

Mix together in another bowl:
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup walnuts (optional but highly encourage!)

Set the oven for 350 F. Grease 2 loaf pans. Gently blend the flour mixture and banana mixture into the butter mixture alternately, being careful not to over mix. Add 3/4 cup walnuts at this time. Bake at 350 F for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let pans cool for 10 minutes then dislodge the loaves and place on a rack. The cookbook says to wait 1 hour before slicing, but seriously, good luck with that.

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