Banana Coconut Bread
Everyone has a favorite moist banana bread recipe. This Banana Coconut Bread is my personal favorite and has gained recognition from a few other prestigious critics as well.
This vivid memory of my four year old son makes me smile every time I think of it.
I walked into the kitchen one afternoon to see his pale-blue eyes, half covered in disheveled hair, peeping over the counter top. …No, let me correct that. Intensely glaring over the edge of the counter, at the bananas that sat there.
I asked, “Carson, are you hungry?”
“Yes,” he sheepishly replied.
“Would you like a banana?”
He paused a moment, then in a tormented tone answered, “No. (long pause) I’m waiting for the bananas to DIE, so I can eat banana bread!”
Banana Coconut Bread, the utopian state to which all bananas aspire. Or at least that is the belief in my house. Everyone enjoys a ripe banana. Yet they all, husband included, leave them sitting there. Hoping, if there are 3 bananas left when they turn dark, this supreme treat will emerge.
Ah, the lesson of delayed gratification.
I’m enormously intrigued watching my children ponder this virtue of patience. Mediocre satisfaction now, or jovial bliss later. Hmmm…
This ultra moist Banana Coconut Bread recipe is a must-try. The butter, applesauce and bananas create a dense tender texture that is hard to resist. The addition of shredded coconut and almonds provide that extra something that take this bread to the next level. I’ve tried many moist banana bread recipes over the years, but this Banana Coconut Bread is the best in my opinion!
Other Irresistible Breads:
Nutella Swirl Tea Loaf ~ All Day I Dream About Food
Cheddar Scallion Monkey Bread ~ Foodie with Family
Banana Coconut Bread
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 stick butter softened
- 1/4 cup applesauce
- 2 large eggs
- 2 very ripe bananas (2 large or 3 small) smashed
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup shredded coconut
- 3/4 cup chopped nuts almonds, pecan, walnuts…
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease and flour a 9x5 loaf pan. (1 1/2 quart capacity)
- Using an electric mixer, cream the sugar and butter together until light and fluffy. Then add the applesauce, eggs and bananas. Mix until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together all the dried ingredients. Slowly beat the dry mixture into the wet.
- Add the coconut and chopped nuts. Mix well.
- Pour the batter into the loaf pan. Bake for 20 minutes, then lower the temperature to 325 degrees F and bake another 40+ minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then flip it out onto a cooling rack.
Nutrition
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So moist & delicious!
I have been thinking banana coconut would make for a nice change to our regular old banana or pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. Always a good breakfast go-to for kids, especially now that school is back in session. Happy to see you have the same idea! I don’t have applesauce though as it always ends up going bad in the fridge. Any suggestion on a substitute? Thanks in advance! – Claire
Hi Claire,
You can use extra bananas or even butter in equal portions to the apple sauce. Happy Baking!
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I have made lots of different banana bread recipes, but this one is by far my favorite! Making another one today!
This is SO good! My husband and kids LOVED it, too :)
This turned out wonderful! Thank you so much. I used sweetened coconut cause that is what we had and it didn’t seem too sweet.
Aww, how cute is your little one..
This banana bread sure looks good, will try this out for sure.
I consider myself a banana fanatic…and have made my fair share of baked goods with this tasty, versatile fruit…. I just made this coconut banana bread yesterday and am blown away – SO DELISH, super moist, a great balance of both main flavors, and just really impressed… going into my go-to banana bread file…thank you!!!!
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Made this banana bread this morning. Decreased the sugar to 3/4 cup. I didn’t have coconut so I used frozen blueberries and I used an egg substitute as my son has an egg allergy. Turned out awesome. I think this will be my new go to banana bread recipe :). Thanks for sharing.
HOOOLLLY MOOOLLYY!!! Made this tonight, ate some and promptly posted on my facebook that I had just made the best banana bread I have ever tasted. Ohmygosh. I only had two dead bananas left so I upped my applesauce, AND I added mini semi-sweet chocolate chips. Can’t even handle how perfectly crispy the outside is and moist the inside is. Om nom nom. Thanks!!!
Katie, so glad you liked it! :)
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Awesome recipe,
I love banana bread :)
Here’s anther recipe you might like.
http://www.wascene.com/food-drink/delicious-banana-bread-recipe/
Thanks for sharing,
Soph
Your banana bread looks just great.. I think I should try it. I am still in searches for that perfect banana bread recipe :)
Great recipe! I drizzled a lemon glaze on top. Next time, I need to add applesauce. I used whole wheat flour and a half cup brown sugar and half cup regular sugar and unsweetened coconut. It turned out incredible especially with the lemon glaze.
This looks delish! I currently have four bananas “on death’s bed”…. Only worry is if the mortician, er… baker…. will have time to transform them before they are beyond use?! Thanks for sharing your recipe.
So I tried it at home and it turned out great. I did tweak it a little bit by lowering the sugar to 3/4 cup and I think next time I may try just 1/2 cup because it was still a little sweet for me. But the flavor is great and it’s wonderfully moist but not so much that I feel it would go bad fast. Thanks.
What a lovely story about your family’s ploy to get banana bread. Awesome! I wouldn’t say my boys and husband are as devious but more a case of straight talking ‘Mum look at the bananas they’re crying out for a baking’. I know that means they want banana bread.
I shall definitely add some almonds and shredded coconut to my recipe next time. The combination sounds divine.
I love what Carson said, about waiting for the bananas to “die.” I have “dead” bananas in the house all the time so I can whip this up in no time. I’m so excited for that coconut flavor to just shine through :)
Oh this looks so good!! Happy Mother’s Day :)
What a fantastic bread, Sommer! I have a handful of bananas and a bag of sweetened coconut begging to be used for this. Saving to try soon!
I NEVER say no to banana!
Oh my! Looks amazing!
I like the idea of coconut and banana! I don’t think I’ve tried anything like this.
looks so delicious, now to go check on the banana situation in the kitchen :)
I made this last night! I made it into 4 mini loaves and it’s just fantastic! I was thrilled!
Yay, Carolyn! I’m so glad you like it. :)
These two go so well together. I made a similar recipe and it was delicious.
Aw! That’s so sweet! My kids always have a hard time resisting strawberries unless I tell them I’m making a Dutch Baby or Strawberry Shortcake. Then they have amazing restraint!
Oh man! our banana bread looks amazing!!!! I am so into coconut!!
LOL, your son has the right take on bananas! Your bread looks just perfect and the dollop of melted butter on top is driving me bonkers. I feel like there should always be a supply of fresh moist banana bread in the house. Always. :)
Oh, yeah…move over plain ol’ banana bread. This could become a new favorite :)
Wonderful flavors :) This looks beautiful, Sommer!
Hugs <3
What a wonderful combination of flavors! And I bet the applesauce kept the bread extra moist!
Just love the idea of coconut in this banana bread!
Haha, that is the cutest and most honest quote. He is exactly right. Great bread, I would wait for them to die too even though I love bananas.
Lovely recipe! Can’t wait to try it! I was also wondering about the sweetened vs. unsweetened coconut. I am going to guess unsweetened.
(PS, I just discovered your blog today and already have 3 recipes I need to make ASAP!)
Waiting for the bananas to “die”…I don’t think it gets more adorable! I have 4 “dead” bananas waiting to get used up….and happy to find a new recipe to use!
This looks so good. I want a slice. If I made it, I would have to make it without nuts (my son is allergic).
Doodler… unfortunately, you might also want to omit the coconut. Coconut is part of the tree nut family. Your son may not be as sensitive to coconuts though. Good luck! And yes, THIS looks awesome, you can almost taste it.
Wonderful crust and perfect texture..love the color of your banana coconut bread, Sommer!
LOL, the utopian state to which all bananas asipre. You crack me up! Gorgeous bread!
Oh I like this. I love the idea to mix coconut and banana together. I’m going to need to put this on my to do list.
I love a moist banana bread= nothing better!
i get all warm inside when i see brown bananas…it always means warm fresh bread!
The combo with the coconut is simply perfect!!
I grew up with my mom making banana bread at least once a week. There’s nothing better than some butter on top that seeps into all the crevices :-)
Haha! Waiting for the bananas to “die.” Kids are the best. Love the addition of coconut.
This looks amazing! I love the addition of coconut…my family also waits for those last 3 bananas :)
Sounds great–do you use sweetened or unsweetened coconut?
I used sweetened, but either would work. :)
I love how simple and yummy this looks! Awesome.