Banana Bread {And Some News}

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. 

 

Comments

[Lauren @ Crave. Indulge. Satisfy.]

Congratulations on the book Amanda! I know it is going to be absolutely fabulous and filled with amazing ideas! I can't wait to get my own copy! You so deserve this opportunity! You have been such an inspiration to me and so many others in the blog community!

[Karen Biggs]

Just made this bread, it was amazing! Thanks for the recipe, this is definitely my go to for banana bread from now on.

[ryan@abigail*ryan homewares]

A little later than intended, but here's my Vegan recipe, should anyone fancy it :)

http://abigailryanblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/best-banana-cake.html

[Jenn in Tenn]

Yaayyy!! Congratulations! I can honestly say I am NOT surprised! Good luck!

[Bradnashley]

Congrats!!! That's so incredibly awesome! I can't wait to buy a copy of your book. I'm so excited for you and hope everything goes smoothly. Good luck!

[Gwendolyn]

Yeowzzza....what a wonderful blessing. I am so Happy for you. And I am Happy for us your faithful group whom adore your talents and the time and care you put forth to share your knowledge with us. :-)

[Rebecca Cash]

so VERY happy for you! you are amazing and I enjoy reading your post and will purchase your book!

[Patricia Calef]

Congratulations Amanda. I am so thrilled for you. And thrilled for us as we will be able to add a wonderful book to our collections.

[nicole {sweet peony}]

congratulations! that is awesome news! i've been following your blog for quite some time & you are amazingly talented!

[Alison]

Congratulations, Amanda! Honestly, I can't believe that you don't ALREADY have a cookbook published. Your talent is off the chart!

[Wendy]

This is one cookbook I can't wait to get my hands on! Good luck!

[Jackie S.]

You DEFINITELY have a book in you :)

[Marina]

I’ve been quietly keeping up with this blog for months now (probably afraid of the quality of my English), but I can’t hide my excitation about this news! I’m a Brazilian seventeen year old and my dreams are pretty much like yours: I love to cook and that is what I plan to do for the rest of my life. I can’t wait to put my hands on this book! You’re an inspiration! Muito sucesso pra você!

[Nic@diningwithastud]

Congratulations. Completely deserved and I cant wait to see it

[Jen]

Yay!! This is so exciting!! Congrats on the book!! I look forward to grabbing one as soon as it's out. I hope you end up doing a mini book tour (because, well, kids and hubby do come first!). I'd love to meet you in person :-D

[FairlyOddMother]

Fantastic news! You SO deserve it! Best of luck and thank you so very much for generously sharing so much with all of us.

[Mary C.]

YAY! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) I am so excited to see how far you've come since we won our dozen cookies from you! I cannot wait to get my hands on your book Amanda.

[Denise]

Congratulations!! I found your cherry chocolate cake somewhere and that brought me to your site and I check in regularly. I enjoy your posts and have even tried a couple of your recipes. I am saving the cherry chocolate cake for a very special occasion but I will indeed make it one day (when there are more people in my home to share it with than just me and my Hunny)

[Sarah]

This reminds me of my Moms recipe but she uses sour cream instead of yogurt, So good!

[MsAB]

Congratulations Amanda! I look forward to the days and months ahead as you blaze the trail of writing your book. I'm sure it will be as outstanding as your blog with so many of us enjoy!

[Charissa]

CONGRATULATIONS! That's SO neat...it's one my dreams as well!

Oh, and I'm doing a giveaway on my site if you're interested!

[SamCyn]

Wow, good for you! You're so talented, you totally deserve it...Congrats!

[SweetSugarBelle]

What an absolute dream come true! Lots of hard work and dreaming have paid off! Than is one of the most rewarding things you can experience! I cannot wait to see what you come up with. Congratulations!!!

[Lisa]

I'll be buying that book!

Can I issue you a challenge? I know you are never one to shy away from the challenge :) Care to make your best halloween themed cookies? I'd love some inspiration, and you are who I go to when I pretend I can bake.

[grace]

ack, it stings when someone creates something that my friends and family like better than the version i make, and it definitely inspires me to improve upon my work!
meanwhile, congrats! it comes as no surprise to me that your potential is being recognized. :)

[Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles]

I'm always up for a new banana bread/cake/muffin recipe - love them. Thanks! And your words about the "we" part of your book...well, they're perfectly said. I am so looking forward to this adventure of yours!

[Aimee @ Simple Bites]

I see I am SO late to the party ...but AMANDA. This is fabulous news!!!Seriously, I'm doing a little jiggidy-jig for you.

How exciting, and of course, take all the time you need. We'll be here for you! xox

[Izza]

I just tried this and OMG, it smells good! I can't wait to taste it!

[Anna @ hiddenponies]

Congratulations!! I am a quiet lover of your blog, but I had to tell you that I would have very much the same reaction as you if my husband chose another woman's baking over mine...and then proceed to replicate it and send it along to work with a large batch of jumbo chocolate chip cookies. Bring it ON.

[Amy's blah, blah, blogging]

Amanda, I've been out of blog land for awhile so I totally missed this post. Congratulations! I am so very happy for you. I think you will make one wonderful author, what fun! And oh, I am so going to have to try this banana bread, sounds delish!