Protein Banana Nut Bread
A moist and tender gluten free banana nut bread packed with hidden protein from whipped cottage cheese and protein powder. Topped with a decadent caramelized banana cream cheese frosting for the ultimate healthy treat.
Equipment
- 1 Loaf pan
- Parchment Paper
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl
- 1 Food Processor
- 2 medium mixing bowls
- 1 Silicone Spatula
Ingredients
Wet ingredients
- 3 very ripe bananas mashed (about 1 to 1¼ cups)
- ½ cup cottage cheese whipped smooth
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 3 tablespoons coconut sugar
- ¼ cup avocado oil
Dry ingredients
- 1½ cups almond flour
- ½ cup cassava flour
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder or banana protein powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ⅓ cup chopped nuts of choice pecans or walnuts work great
- ¼ cup chocolate chips optional
Caramelized Banana Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt or skyr
- 2 tablespoons vanilla protein powder
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons caramelized banana syrup , to taste
- Pinch cinnamon
Instructions
- Prep. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside until the batter is ready.
- Peel & Mash Banana. Peel three very ripe bananas and add them to a large mixing bowl. Mash thoroughly with a fork until no large chunks remain and the bananas are mostly smooth. Set aside.
- Whip Cottage Cheese. Put the cottage cheese in the food processor and blend until smooth and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. Leave in the food processor until you are ready for it.
- Mix Wet Ingredients. Add the eggs, vanilla, whipped cottage cheese, and coconut sugar to the bowl with the mashed bananas and whisk until fully incorporated. Whisk in the avocado oil until everything is combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients. Add the almond flour, cassava flour, vanilla protein powder or banana protein powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and all your spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom) to a separate medium mixing bowl. Whisk gently to combine.
- Combine Dry & Wet Ingredients. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredient bowl and fold together using a silicone spatula until fully combined. Make sure there are no clumps of flour or protein powder.
- Fold In Walnuts. Fold in the chopped walnuts until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour Batter in Pan. Pour the batter into the prepared parchment-lined loaf pan and smooth it out evenly so no spots are thicker than others.
- Bake. Bake for 45-55 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean when poked in the middle of the loaf.
- Make the Frosting. While the loaf bakes, prepare the frosting. Add the softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt or skyr, protein powder, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon to a medium mixing bowl and whisk until smooth and combined. Fold in the caramelized banana syrup last, starting with 2 tablespoons and adding more to taste.
- Frost the banana nut bread. Allow the loaf to fully cool before frosting. Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
- Garnish. Garnish with additional chopped walnuts, banana slices, and banana syrup if desired.
Notes
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