I remember back in college when I didn't have a boyfriend, I felt as though my life was over every Valentine's day. It was especially hard seeing all these girls walking around campus with flowers, balloons and red hearts. 
My girlfriends and I made a pact that instead of moping around we would go out to dinner and celebrate one another on Valentine's Day. So one year we dined at Rainforest Cafe, another year at Macaroni Grill, basically every year would be a different franchise. Remember those restaurants?
For this reason, I'm not particularly a fan of Valentine's Day because for many years I didn't have a valentine, and when you live in a society that places so much emphasis on V-Day, it can be quite depressing to say the least.
Having said that, if I do have someone special in my life, I will do a little something for that person because that's the thing about V-Day, you can't exactly escape from it, it's about doing the little things.
Often times we hear people say that every day should be Valentine's Day which makes sense. Just imagine the joy our relationships would bring if we did the little things every single day.
And with that thought, I wish you a very Happy Valentines Day! Whether you're celebrating yourself, a family member, a friend, or a significant other, it’s all about showing love to the ones you love. This Valentine's I made Red Velvet Banana Bread.
Red Velvet Banana Bread with Cream Cheese Glaze
Ingredients
- <b>Red Velvet Banana Bread</b>
- Whole Wheat Pastry Flour - 1 ½ cups
- Cacao Powder - 2 tbsp
- Baking Soda - 1 tsp
- Salt - ¼ tsp
- Sugar in the Raw Turbinado Brown Sugar - ½ cup
- Organic Eggs - 2
- Bananas - 1 ½ cups, or 3 medium bananas
- Vinegar - ½ tsp
- Lowfat Buttermilk - ½ cup
- Organic Coconut Oil - 2 tbsp, melted
- Pure Vanilla - 1 ½ tsp
- Red Food Color - 1 tbsp
- <br></br>
- <b>Cream Cheese Glaze</b>
- Cream Cheese - 2 ounces, room temperature
- Pure Vanilla - 1 tsp
- Milk 2% Reduced-Fat - 2 - 3 tbsp
- Confectioners Sugar - ¼ cup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease a loaf pan with coconut oil.
- Combine the dry ingredients in a medium size bowl... flour, cacao powder, baking soda, salt and brown sugar.
- In a separate bowl combine the wet ingredients... eggs, bananas, vinegar, buttermilk, coconut oil, vanilla and red food color.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry. Mix but do NOT over mix.
- Pour the batter into the greased loaf pan.
- Into the oven for 45 minutes.
- In the meantime, prepare the glaze. Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature. Whip the cream cheese until light and fluffy.
- Add the vanilla and confectioners sugar. Whip.
- Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until you achieve the desired consistency.
- Once bread is cooled, pour glaze over the bread. Slice and serve.
Notes
I prefer this bread slightly warm with cream cheese glaze over it.
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What are your thoughts on Valentine's Day? Love it, hate it, overrated? How do you typically celebrate?
Sonia says
Ah I want this!
honeywhatscooking says
Thanks Sonia. It was quite yummy! Thank you!! 🙂
Salma says
That looks gorgeous! Do you think it would work with almond or soy milk instead of buttermilk?
honeywhatscooking says
So sorry for the late reply, Salma. Yes, I'm sure it would work with almond or soy, you may wanna add a teaspoon of vinegar to give it that tangy flavor though.
When I don't have buttermilk on hand, I take a cup of milk (dairy) and add a teaspoon of vinegar, it's a great substitute. Hope this helps.
dixya @food, pleasure, and health says
the glaze looks soooo good with this bread.
honeywhatscooking says
Thanks Dixya! 🙂
Mamta says
It just looks wowwww!!!
I love Red velvet cake and mixing it with banana is a great choice. Healthier and tastier as well.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
honeywhatscooking says
So glad to hear that you like it. I hope you try it, it's definitely healthier with bananas. 🙂
Tasha says
I do not have coconut oil Can I substitute veg oil. Also can I add sour cream to this recipe?
honeywhatscooking says
Hi Tasha. Yes you may use veg oil. And sour cream will work.
Tasha says
Thank you. Can I also use regular flour for this recipe?
honeywhatscooking says
Yes, that would taste even better - can't go wrong with all-purpose flour.
Tasha says
Thank You. The vread came out fantastic. My glaze was a little runny and didn't seem to set. So will add less milk next time.This was delicious