I have another Banana Bread recipe on this blog. Its perfect and amazing and I have made it no less then fifty times.
But then my dear hubby brought some other woman's banana bread home from work. And then he said... get this...
"I like this better."
I Faint.
I Sob.
I Throw myself on the floor in a fit of justified hysteria.
And then I decided to see if I could replicate it. Cause he was right, it was fabulous.
I found a recipe that was a bit different, tweaked it a bit, and boy am I happy.
Its amazing. Delicious. Moist. Full of wonderful banana flavor. I would never have known this banana bread bliss had another woman's baked goods not threatened to capture my hubbies heart.
But remember I have some news?
Well, turns out that a fabulous publisher thinks I have a book in me.
I will be writing a book based on the creations like you see here on iambaker. Most of the book will be new ideas, but there will also be some revamped old favorites. (Like the Rose Cake. Its probably my favorite cake ever!)
So I had this big "surprise" moment planned out in my head. A year or so from now I would announce, "I've written a book! Here it is!"
But something just didnt feel right about that.
See, this blog wouldn't be much without you.
Without your feedback and comments and participation.
We have teamed up nicely to do Cake Challenges.
We have succeeded in making baked goods for people across the country.
We have brainstormed ways to give baked gifts to people in need.
Did you catch the important word in all those things?
We.
I would not be writing a book if it weren't for us.
So, dear friends, it just doesn't seem right to not have you be a part of this process.
I want to include you and share secrets and behind the scenes happenings with you. I want you, my friends, to get more then the person who just picks up a copy of the book on a bookshelf. (Right now I am just hoping that someone gets the opportunity to pick one up on a bookshelf! It still seems like an impossible dream!)
We have come this far. Now lets take it to the next level.
You may have noticed that my blog posting has slowed down considerably and that I have started a "Baking With" feature. This is because I have been busy with (having four kids and a husband whom are my first priority!) book stuff and just cant bake three treats a week like I used too.
Its a bummer to me that I cant post as often right now, but it is my hope that you will understand. That you will embrace the people that have graciously agreed to join the iambaker baking family through guest posts. That you will do what friends do... tell me if an idea needs work or if I buttercream frosting in my hair or if I am just nuts.
And now for the recipe: (Adapted from Allrecipes.com)
Perfect Banana Bread
2 eggs
1/3 cup vanilla yogurt
½ cup vegetable oil
1 cup ripe mashed bananas
1 ½ cups white sugar
½ cup brown sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees and prepare chosen pan.
Blend together the eggs, yogurt, oil, extract and bananas in mixer with low speed.
Add in sugars and fully incorporate. Then add flour, baking soda, and salt and mix until just combined.
Pour into prepared pan and bake 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
I have doubled this recipe with great success.
(Be sure to start checking your banana bread at 45 minutes. I have had it be done in 50 minutes or heard that it can take as much as 75 minutes. It just depends on the accuracy of your oven.)
Enjoy!
In case I forgot to mention, I am hoping for a fall release for the book, which means I will need to get it done very early on in 2012. This tight deadline is tough, but good. I am excited! Nervous. But mostly just grateful for this amazing opportunity.
I hope you know how thankful I am that you are willing to come along for the ride.
Congrats!!! That's exciting and you're definitely deserving of it! :)
Posted by: Rachel @ Baked by Rachel | Oct 01, 2011 at 07:42 AM
Massive congratulations for the book deal (i'm a not usually a commenter, but this is certainly worthy of breaking my silence!!) :))
Coincidentally, i've just been refining a banana bread recipe myself over the past few days...i'd be honoured if you had a wee look. I'm writing it up later today to blog so i'll comment again when it's up. It's vegan (I can't have dairy, and know people who can't have eggs) but moist and delcious- if I do say so myself! :)
Posted by: ryan@abigail*ryan homewares | Oct 01, 2011 at 07:43 AM
Amanda!!! This is just fantastic news!! I know how hard it must be to try to manage everything right now. You have some fabulous talent and have inspired me in so many ways. I too, LOVE.LOVE. LOVE. your rose cake and have made it several times and look like a Rock Star everytime I do...little does anyone know that it is easier for me do do that cake than nearly any other:) Thank you for sharing your time and talent so that we, busy mothers and wives, can pull off a Rock Star moment every now and again:) Looking forward to seeing you in print!
Posted by: melanie | Oct 01, 2011 at 07:44 AM
How exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so thrilled for you - and you need to know that I'm a basically "new" fan... just a few months, but I never miss a new post and I've made several of your cakes!!! LOVE the rose cake, love the roses!!!! YOU GO GURL!!!!! You deserve it all!!!!
Posted by: Pam | Oct 01, 2011 at 07:47 AM
I am jumping up and down!! Congratulations!!!
Posted by: Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen | Oct 01, 2011 at 08:06 AM
Yay! Yay! Yay! And woohoo too!
So excited for you and your new adventure. Can't wait to see that book on the bookshelf and walk to the counter and say "This is a book my friend wrote. Look at it! See how gorgeous it is?"
It will be a reality soon enough.
Posted by: Amy | She Wears Many Hats | Oct 01, 2011 at 08:16 AM
"Author! Author!" Yep, people around the world will be calling for you to stand up and take the bow you so richly deserve. You've given all us cake kooks and frosting fanatics reason to come out of the closet (so hot in there, what with the oven and all) and have one heck of a time!! Seriously, as everyone has said, couldn't happen to a better person!
Posted by: Peg | Oct 01, 2011 at 08:21 AM
Congrats!!! You so deserve it Amanda and I couldn't be happier for you!!!
Posted by: Karen @ Trilogy Edibles | Oct 01, 2011 at 08:27 AM
Firstly, congrats. The blog-to-book revolution is amazing to watch.
Secondly, it's so funny that you post this. 5 days ago I made some banana bread with the recipe I was raised on. I love it to bits. As I savored the masterpiece I thought to myself how I have a ton of cookbooks but don't have a desire to try any new banana bread recipes (as well as a few other recipes I'm overwhelmingly satisfied with). Don't fix it if it ain't broke, right? But curiosity is getting the best of me and I want to try this one! It's so funny when we get to a point of saying, "This one. ~This~ is my recipe. It's ~perfect~." and someone comes along and flips our world on end. I'm excited to give this one a try- my recipe is 1/2 whole wheat. I feel a side-by-side comparison coming on!
ok. i'll shut up now.
thanks.
Posted by: Lori | Oct 01, 2011 at 09:05 AM
HUGE congrats, Amanda! Happy to hear that a publisher figured out what we already knew! Best of luck to you and to your family, as this is a big deal for all of you.
I'm sure I join many others in saying that we understand that you are and will be busy, but we will remain patient and stick around, as loyal friends do.
Appreciate every crumb of info you provide and eat them all up!
Posted by: Suzy McQ | Oct 01, 2011 at 09:23 AM
Congratulations Amanda! Cant wait to be able to buy your book!
Posted by: Kristen | Oct 01, 2011 at 09:24 AM
I am sooooooooooooooo excited for you - and us!! An Amanda book!!! How fabulous!
Posted by: Georgia | Oct 01, 2011 at 09:32 AM
Have I been telling you since the day I met you that you had a book in you. I am a smart lady and I know this stuff and I know, for a fact, that you are going to be successful. Not just because you are so darn creative, witty, funny, and charming, but because you are "good people". You are a "salt of the earth" kind of gal and I knew that the first time I laid eyes on you. Out of all of the people that impressed me last year at BHF10, you ( and penny de los santos), were the ones that I was going to remember. So, my dear friend, you deserve this and I know you will embrace this and you will soar and do what you are truly passionate about. I could not be happier for you! xxxooo p.s I am willing to test recipes for you - just send them my way!
Posted by: the urban baker | Oct 01, 2011 at 09:45 AM
Congratulations!!! Once again, you are AMAZEBALLS!!!!
Posted by: Christy D | Oct 01, 2011 at 09:57 AM
Oh, that's wonderful!
Posted by: Kelsey | Oct 01, 2011 at 10:04 AM
Yay! Congrats! You deserve it!
Posted by: Jessica | Oct 01, 2011 at 11:15 AM
Amanda!!!!!I am so NOT surprised at this wonderful news!! You are destined to bigger things, I know it!!!!!!! I'm so happy for you!!!
And by the way...does your hubby's co-worker know who YOU are??????
Posted by: Alicia | Oct 01, 2011 at 11:17 AM
Huge congratulations, Amanda - what great news!
(and how brave your husband is to say he prefers another woman's banana bread lol!)
Posted by: Hannah | Oct 01, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Congratulations! What great news....phew I thought maybe you were...well, I better not say ; )
Posted by: Sheila | Oct 01, 2011 at 11:45 AM
Amanda! CONGRATULATIONS!! I am so excited! no one could deserve this more- what a wonderful gift to share with everyone :) Can't wait to see how the process goes.
In the mean time, I am ready to make this delicious looking banana bread!!
Posted by: HeatherChristo | Oct 01, 2011 at 12:05 PM
VERY exciting adventure Amanda and I'm excited to hear about it! CONGRATULATIONS!
Posted by: Cristin (Pinkie) | Oct 01, 2011 at 01:37 PM
Amanda! Congrats! This is sooo well-deserved!
I can't to see your creations!
xo
Posted by: DessertForTwo | Oct 01, 2011 at 01:54 PM
That's great! I haven't been following you for very long (obviously my mistake), but SERIOUSLY you have 4 kids AND do all this? Wow. Maybe your new book can include a nice chapter on time management...
Posted by: Karen | Oct 01, 2011 at 02:16 PM
Congratulations Amanda. That's the best news ever. Your creations certainly deserve to be in print :-)
Posted by: Kulsum@Journeykitchen | Oct 01, 2011 at 02:43 PM
HOLY COW!!! 15 years ago I would have said, "you mean Amanda, the Amanda we know from the Turf is doing what? I didn't even know she could read?!" Just kidding about the reading part ;) You will do fabulous hon! You have gone so far in you life!
Posted by: Kara | Oct 01, 2011 at 03:55 PM
CONGRATULATIONS! I just came across your blog a couple of weeks ago and put it into my favorites right away. Your creations are so WOW!
I look forward to your book.
Posted by: Kathryn P. | Oct 01, 2011 at 04:19 PM
What exciting news about your book. I can't wait to buy it!
Posted by: dah | Oct 01, 2011 at 05:34 PM
So very happy for you Amanda! Very well deserved. I can't wait to buy your book!
I'm also looking forward to trying your banana bread, as we have a "thing" for banana bread in this house!
:)
Posted by: Jen Fong | Oct 01, 2011 at 05:48 PM
Congratulations! I know that you have a book in you too. I can't wait for it to come out.
Posted by: kyleen | Oct 01, 2011 at 06:03 PM
Congrats on the book! Very much looking forward to reading about the process and seeing the final result!
Posted by: Y | Oct 01, 2011 at 06:25 PM
Congratulations, Amanda, that is some FANTASTIC news. And glad you tried a new banana bread and found it to your liking. I can understand the gasping and sobbing, though!
Posted by: Carolyn | Oct 01, 2011 at 06:26 PM
kudos to you! so excited!
all the best in prepping for this cb which i know will be so creative!!
Posted by: linda | Oct 01, 2011 at 06:34 PM
Woo Hoo!!!! SSSOOOOO very exciting, Amanda!!! Congratulations!!!! I'll be watching for pictures of your cake plates. ;-)
Posted by: Lynne @ 365 Days of Baking | Oct 01, 2011 at 06:37 PM
I am so STOKED for you! The book will be amazing!
Posted by: Michelle | Oct 01, 2011 at 06:38 PM
congrats! So thrilled for you and your family!
Posted by: patti | Oct 01, 2011 at 06:39 PM
CONGRATS! That's fantastic!
Posted by: Ann | Oct 01, 2011 at 07:02 PM
Seriously confused by the amount of sugar in this. I've always found banana bread to taste better with an approximately 1:4 ratio of sugar:flour, especially given the natural sweetness of the bananas.
I'll give it a go nonetheless, and take your word on this. I'll let you know how it goes :)
Posted by: Michael. | Oct 01, 2011 at 07:27 PM
So deserved! I had an inkling that a book was in the works. I noticed a certain publisher started following you on twitter recently. ;) The bread looks great, but the book deal is the headliner of this post. Congrats Amanda!
Posted by: MikeVFMK | Oct 01, 2011 at 07:30 PM
Congratulations! That's amazing!
This banana bread looks delicious. My family isn't big on banana in baked goods, but maybe something delicious like this will convince them.
Posted by: Miriam @ Overtime Cook | Oct 01, 2011 at 07:53 PM
YUM! And absolutely amazing!
If anyone can do it, it is you Amanda!
I can not wait for your book!!
xo
Posted by: Christina | Oct 01, 2011 at 08:48 PM
Congratulations on the book deal, Amanda!! I am going to hace to purchase multiple copies to give one to everyone I know that loves to bake! Your creative spirit totally deserve this and I am so happy for you!! I read a quote that said, 'Live a life worthy of the calling you have received.' I think you have fulfilled that to it's fullest as a baker!
Posted by: Possible Baker | Oct 01, 2011 at 09:21 PM
Yay!! Congrats!! AND I will totally support your guest posts!! ;)
Posted by: Zoe (Bite This) | Oct 01, 2011 at 11:22 PM
Congratulations! Can't wait to be holding your book in my hands! :) Seems like a long wait, but I'm sure it's worth all the wait. You always have so many wonderful ideas and beautiful creations and I'm not surprised you're finally publishing your own book. :) Really happy for you.
Posted by: Amy | Oct 02, 2011 at 02:04 AM
What a great idea and WOW: congrats for being able to write and publish a book!
Posted by: Denise @ TLT - The Little Things | Oct 02, 2011 at 02:40 AM
I am unbelievably excited for you. See how that works? You put a little awesomeness out there in the world, and it comes back three fold! Congrats, sweet lady!
Posted by: movita | Oct 02, 2011 at 07:00 AM
You are so inspiring!
Posted by: Christen Robinson | Oct 02, 2011 at 10:05 AM
I enjoy your recipes so much and so does all my familiy and my friends! I'm not surprised you have been approached to do a cookbook!! I'm so excited for you and of course I'll be the first in line to buy one...well actual several to give for gifts!! You are so talented and have used your wonderful talents to bless many people!!
Posted by: Heather | Oct 02, 2011 at 10:56 AM
Congrats! Your/our, book is much anticipated!!!
Posted by: Deborah | Oct 02, 2011 at 02:07 PM
excellent news, Amanda...and SO well deserved! Congratulations!
Posted by: Elizabeth | Oct 02, 2011 at 03:30 PM
Such wonderful news Amanda! I knew it was just a matter of time. If anybody deserves a book, you do and you can bet my bottom dollar, I'll have it nestled on my bookshelf when your new baby (book) is born. Congratulations and I can't wait. Oh, btw the banana bread looks great. I love the addition of yogurt. I'll have to give this a go. Thanks!
Posted by: Renee (kudos kitchen) | Oct 02, 2011 at 04:49 PM