We all know that when life gives you lemons you make lemonade, but what about when Costco gives you limes? (You know, like after you give them your credit card…) And what if the limes are the size of your fists? I found myself in this predicament last week. So I started off with Chili-Lime Mango Chicken and Brazilian Lemonade. And of course I made a couple batches of my favorite Lime-Cilantro Dressing. We drizzled that over big salads with strips of Taco Chicken. It wasn’t until I got down to the last couple of limes that it dawned on me that I haven’t shared one of my favorite recipes with some of my favorite people (you!)I love this bread. It’s close enough to a traditional banana bread that everyone loves the flavor. Yet it’s just different enough that people always say, “Wow!” It’s especially great for functions where you’re asked to bring a bread (I’m imagining brunch with friends, church events, etc.) and you know everyone will show up with the same 3 kinds. This one is definitely a stand-out. It’s a sweet banana bread laced with a little coconut and then drizzled with a tangy lime glaze.
You don’t stray far from the normal routine here. Beat the sugar and the wet stuff, then add the flour and the dry stuff and then dump in some coconut. Do you like how straight-forward that is?
Once your batter is in your baking pan you sprinkle some extra coconut on top before popping it in the oven.
This creates a great crunchy texture on top, adds flavor, and makes it look extra fancy 🙂
But that’s not all. While that bread is cooling for a few minutes you’ll whip up the sweet lime glaze and then drizzle that on top.
Since the bread is slightly warm still the glaze just kind of melts over everything, coating the coconut and sinking into the cracks and crevices on top.
Seriously people.
The best part is that it’s not just gorgeous and drool-worthy on the outside. The inside is super soft and moist and the glaze just gives a hint of lime with every bite.
Coconut Banana Bread with Lime Glaze
adapted by Our Best Bites from Cooking Light
2 C flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 C sugar
1/4 C (4 Tbs) real butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 1/2 C mashed ripe bananas (about 4 large bananas)
1/4 C sour cream or plain yogurt
3 Tbs apple juice or milk*
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 C coconut
optional (if you have it, add it!): 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
Topping: 2 Tbs additional coconut
Glaze: 1/2 C powdered sugar whisked with 1 1/2 Tbs fresh lime juice and optionally the zest from the lime as well.
*as in: don’t go buy apple juice just for this recipe. If you don’t already have some, just use milk!
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until blended. Add eggs and beat to combine. Add banana, sour cream or yogurt, apple juice (or milk), and vanilla. Beat until blended.
Add flour mixture and beat at a low speed until just combined. Stir in 1/2 C coconut.
Pour batter into a 9×5″ loaf pan that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Sprinkle additional 2 Tbs coconut on top.
Bake in the oven for about 1 hour or until a knife or skewer inserted in center comes out clean. Note: Check bread after about 40 minutes. If the top has browned and the coconut pieces are looking toasty, cover top of bread lightly with a piece of foil. Continue baking until done.
When done, remove pan from oven. Let cool on a cooling rack for about 10 minutes and then carefully remove from pan. Whisk powdered sugar and lime juice together for the glaze and then drizzle over top. Cool for another 15 minutes before slicing.
Love your site. Pictures are amazingly descriptive. I have seen some recipes for bacon jam. Do you have one that you like. It sounds good, but the recipes are very different and don't know which one to try. Peggy in Lake Charles
This sounds amazing!!! We love banana bread and coconut and the lime glaze sounds like it would go perfectly!!! Also, we voted for your blog! Good luck!
This bread is really good! I love how moist it is. Note to self: Add 10 minutes to baking time if you use a glass Pyrex loaf pan again! =) Although I wasn't happy about the extra 10 minutes I made myself wait, it was worth it! Thanks!
MMMM this was so good, I didn't have limes so I used lemons but it still was great! SOOOoo moist. I love the toasted coconut on top–thanks for sharing all these delicious recipes!
This is my favorite banana bread recipe. It also freezes great without the glaze, just glaze after it thaws. yumm, i need banana bread
we love banana bread and muffins and I keep buying lots of bananas thinking we'll end up with some extra ripe ones but my kids end up eating them all still. I think I will hide some so I can make this recipe lol
I can go for coconut any time of year, but the craving gets especially strong in the warm months. 🙂 This looks so delicious and I happen to have some bananas that need to be used up right now.
This bread is spectacular. I can't believe how wonderful the flavors are together. Honestly, when I first read the title I thought it sounded kinda weird. I made it Gluten Free last night for our family and couldn't have been happier. I posted it to my blog and linked back to you.
http://thehappytummy.wordpress.com/2010/04/12/coconut-banana-bread-with-lime-glaze-gluten-free/
thanks for another great recipe!
Wow, what a lime . . wish my Costco would get those in here!! If you still have some around, zest them. It makes so many yummy dishes and I don't even know if you can find lime zest to buy. If you can, I'm sure it's gold plated.
Sara, thanks for reminding me of that banana bread. I haven't made it in quite a while, and it had been a favorite of ours since it was originally printed in Cooking Light mag. Looking forward to making it again this week to use up my "brown banana stash"!
Mary Beth
Sara,
What perfect timing … I have that same bag of limes from Costco sitting in my fridge right now!
This looks perfect!! Can you tell me what kind and size bread pan you used? Love the look of the finished product 🙂
Thanks again!!
Thanks, Sara. I didn't mean to imply that the recipe sounded "icky sweet", just wanted to make sure I didn't use sweetened by mistake if you didn't intend it. 🙂
Adding this to my recipe "to do ASAP" pile on the kitchen counter, as I do most of yours. It's a big pile…
Oh I will have to make a gluten free version of this…SOON! Easy peasy, LIMEon squeezy! Thanks for this! It looks and sounds SO delicious!!
ooh, this looks delish! and i've got bananas waiting! now to get some limes . . . ( :
I love all of these ingredients…and together, drool worthy is absolutely accurate!
I love the lime glaze!
ForPetesSake- I just use sweetened flaked coconut from a bag. You could use either. The bread itself isn't overly sweet so the glaze isn't overkill- (in my opinion!)
Diana- Apple Cider is totally fine. Honestly, just about any liquid will work. The original recipe actually calls for rum, but since I don't have alcohol around I sub it out. I've used milk, juice, extra sour cream, apple sauce etc. Really, anything works!
Looks like a good one!
How about a red velvet cake/cupcake recipe? 🙂
–Meliha
http://straddling-continents-cultures.blogspot.com/
seriously people. . .
Sara, wow. This looks so good. Mmmmm. . . coconut and lime – my two favorite spring flavors.
I'm not usually a big fan of coconut- but lime & coconut? Delicious!!
Do you think apple cider will work okay? I've got some that needs using up! This sounds great for a bake sale this week!
Sara – Can I just tell you how funny your post is? Last weekend I hosted a girl's night with a Mexican theme. I made your awesome recipes for taco chicken and tortilla soup. I used 9 limes from the grocery store, but needed a few more…well, I had to go to Costco anyways…you know the story…while I still used 6 of the limes from Costco, I still have 20 more!!
I CAN'T WAIT to try this recipe. You and Kate have converted me to the deliciousness of lime!
Oh my goodness, my mouth is watering right now. I NEED to try this recipe!
Sweetened or unsweetened coconut or does it matter? I prefer my breads not to be icky sweet, especially with the glaze added to this one, so am wondering what you recommend. Looks yummy and a nice change from my standard banana bread.
This looks so delicious! I love the idea of a lime glaze atop the banana and coconut flavored glaze. I may have to make this the next time I have ripe bananas, or perhaps for the bake sale this Saturday!
I'm still looking for ways to use up coconut leftover from Easter and your recipe is another great way.
This cake looks delicious I love the coconut and lime combination.
I LOVE this recipe. It has been a favorite of mine for a few years now… I was very hesitant to try it at first because I am a believer that banana bread should never be without chocolate. But once I tasted the lime/coconut/banana combo… I was converted. Mmmmm.
And I have used orange juice instead of apple juice.
I hope my bananas turn brown REAL soon so I can make some.
Love it.
O I can't wait to try this recipe..it looks so scrumpticious ….I have voted everyday but out of all of them I have missed three so I hope you can forgive me..I have been trying first thing in the morning to remember….I love your blog so much and would find it a blast if you would visit mine..way different from yours but I think fun to look at lol! http://tmcc4.blogspot.com…have a great week everyone 🙂
Mandy
YUMMMO! I can't wait to make this! It looks delicious. I have an event to bake something for on Saturday and I think I found what I'm making. Thanks!