Sweet Potato Spoon Bread

 Sweet Potato Spoon Bread- I wanted to try something different with my sweet potatoes besides making a pie, so I'm trying this receipe a cross between cornbread and regular sweet potato bread. Of course, I'm substituting some ingredients and tweaking it for what I have in the cabinets and refrigerator. 

Credit: Food & Wine / Photo by Victor Protasio / 

Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

Spoon bread, a cross between corn bread and soufflé, is a Southern classic. Robert Stehling likes to add cooked spinach or fresh corn and chopped and sautéed bacon or ham to his plain sweet potato version. Delicious, Quick Side Dishes

By Robert Stehling, Updated on November 21, 2019

Active Time: 30 mins

Total Time: 2 hrs 20 mins

Yield: 10 to 12

Ingredients

1 pound sweet potatoes

2 ¼ cups stone-ground yellow cornmeal

1 ½ tablespoons sugar

1 ½ teaspoons salt

1 ½ teaspoons baking soda

1 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter (at room temperature)

3 cups boiling water

1 ½ cups buttermilk

1 ½ tablespoons mild honey

¼ teaspoon ground cumin

¼ teaspoon freshly ground white pepper

⅛ teaspoon ground cloves

⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper

5 large egg whites (at room temperature)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375°. With a fork, pierce the sweet potatoes all over and set them directly on the oven rack. Bake the sweet potatoes for 1 hour, or until they are tender; let cool slightly. Slit the skins and scoop the potatoes into a large bowl. Mash until smooth. You should have 1 1/4 cups of mashed sweet potatoes. Increase the oven temperature to 425°.

Meanwhile, lightly butter a shallow 2-quart glass or ceramic baking dish and dust it with cornmeal, tapping out any excess. In another large bowl, whisk the cornmeal with the sugar, salt and baking soda. Melt the butter in the boiling water, then stir the butter-and-water mixture into the dry ingredients. Let cool slightly.

Using an electric mixer, beat the buttermilk, honey, cumin, white pepper, cloves, and cayenne into the mashed sweet potatoes until combined. At medium speed, beat in the cornmeal mixture.

In a clean stainless steel bowl, using clean beaters, beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry. Fold the beaten egg whites into the sweet-potato mixture until no white streaks remain. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for about 40 minutes, or until golden and risen, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve the sweet potato spoon bread warm or at room temperature.

Make Ahead

The spoon bread can be made early in the day, wrapped in foil, and reheated in a 350° oven.

Grandma’s Banana Walnut Nut Loaf Bread

Food History

Banana bread recipes like this one became popular in American kitchens during the 1930s, around the time baking soda and baking powder became common household staples. As bananas became more widely available, their use in baking soared, particularly in moist, sweet breads like this Banana Walnut Loaf. The addition of walnuts, a nut native to California and heavily promoted by Diamond, adds a satisfying crunch and depth of flavor. This recipe reflects the tradition of using locally-sourced, high-quality ingredients to enhance everyday baking.

Timeline

1920s: Diamond Walnuts becomes a household name, known for its high-quality California walnuts.

1930s: Banana bread recipes gain popularity during the Great Depression as a way to use overripe bananas.

1980s: Banana Walnut Loaf remains a beloved recipe, often shared on packaging by brands like Diamond to promote their products.

Today: This loaf continues to be a favorite, blending the rich flavor of bananas with the satisfying crunch of walnuts.

Recipe Discussion

Banana Walnut Nut Loaf Bread

This Banana Walnut Loaf is a straightforward recipe that yields a moist, flavorful bread perfect for any time of day. The combination of mashed bananas and chopped walnuts creates a deliciously dense texture, with the walnuts adding a crunchy contrast to the soft crumb. The recipe is easy to follow, making it a great option for both novice bakers and experienced cooks looking for a quick and reliable loaf to bake.

Preparation Tips

Banana Ripeness: Use very ripe bananas for the best flavor and texture. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and moister your loaf will be.

Mixing: Beat the sugar, shortening, and eggs until light and fluffy. This helps incorporate air, resulting in a lighter loaf.

Baking: Be sure to check the loaf with a toothpick around the 60-minute mark. If it comes out clean, the bread is ready.

Cooling: Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. This helps prevent the loaf from breaking apart.

Mark your calendars for February 23rd—National Banana Bread Day is ripe and ready! Indulge in this timeless favorite that’s always a-peeling!

 https://www.browneyedbaker.com/banana-nut-bread/

https://vintagerecipeproject.com/banana-walnut-loaf-recipe/

1950s-60s: Jamaican “Doctor Bird Cake” features bananas and pineapple.

 

https://www.oliveandmango.com/hummingbird-cake/

Food History

Hummingbird Cake originates from the Southern U.S., but its roots trace back to Jamaica. It was initially called the “Doctor Byrd Cake,” named after Jamaica’s national bird, a type of hummingbird.  Some say the name comes from the fact that the cake is sweet enough to attract hummingbirds, while others think the yellow streaks of banana in the cake look like the feathers of a certain variety of hummingbird. 

The recipe was introduced to American kitchens in the late 1970s through Southern Living magazine, where it quickly became a favorite. This cake is similar to banana bread but with the added indulgence of a rich, creamy frosting, making it a staple for birthdays, holidays, and Sunday dinners.

This Hummingbird Cake follows a traditional method, combining simple ingredients to create a rich, moist cake. The dry ingredients, including flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon, provide structure and warm spice. The addition of eggs, oil, and vanilla ensures a tender texture, while crushed pineapple and mashed bananas add natural sweetness and moisture. The chopped pecans give a delightful crunch.

Unlike traditional cakes, this batter is mixed gently—there’s no need to beat it, which helps maintain a dense, soft crumb. Baked in three layers, this cake is stacked and frosted with a smooth, creamy icing made from cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Topped with additional pecans and shredded coconut, the finished cake is both stunning and delicious.

Use very ripe bananas for the best flavor and moisture. Do not drain the pineapple—the juice adds extra moisture to the batter.

Stir the batter gently; overmixing can make the cake dense. Grease and line the cake pans with wax or parchment paper to prevent sticking. Let the cake layers cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting. Toast the pecans before adding them for a richer, nuttier flavor.

Add a pinch of nutmeg for extra depth of spice. Store the cake in the refrigerator to keep the frosting firm.

Serve at room temperature for the best flavor.

Hummingbird cake originated in Jamaica; some say the name comes from the fact that the cake is sweet enough to attract hummingbirds, while others think the yellow streaks of banana in the cake look like the feathers of a certain variety of hummingbird. 

Wooden Spoon Bread Book "BANANA BREAD" – CATHY SORICH

Cathy Sorich loaned me her book, “The Wooden Spoon Bread Book,” The Secrets of Successful Baking. By Marilyn M. Moore

When your bananas start to overripe, try this recipe.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9 x 5-inch baking pan. Sift together and set aside.
1-½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour (Cathy adds 1 cup of sugar)
1 teaspoon baking soda (Cathy adds ½ teaspoon)
1 teaspoon salt (Cathy adds ½ teaspoon)
(Cathy adds cinnamon )

In a large bowl, blend together in this order
1/3 cup oil (Cathy adds ½ cup of oil)
¾ cup brown sugar
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (2 to 3 bananas) (She adds 4 bananas)
2 eggs
½ cup milk
Stir into the banana mixture in this order
Sift dry ingredients
½ cup chopped walnuts

Turn into a prepared pan. Bake at 350°F for 1 hour, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Turn out to cool on a wire rack. Wrap in foil to store. This bread is easier to cut on the second day. Makes 2 loaves.

Cathy adds 2T Oatmeal, 1T Brown Sugar, and ½ t Cinnamon on top before baking.

She swears by this recipe.