Hawaiian Banana Bread

This is one of the most treasured recipes in my files. I've tasted many banana breads, but most of them were coarse and heavy, and none had the tropical fragrance of this heavenly one which is served throughout the Hawaiian Isles. It is the brain child of a famous native chef, Max I. Mori, formerly of the Royal Hawaiian hotel, Honolulu, now at Kona Inn, Island of Hawaii. This is my cut down version of the original ingredients. I bake the bread in a lightly buttered and floured 9" x 9" x 2" pan. When cold, cut it into squares as the Hawaiians do (makes 16 squares), or if you prefer, cut it in half and then in 1/2-inch-thick slices. It is as light as a spongecake and has a waxy crust similar to that of poundcake. It remains fresh to the last crumb when properly stored and also freezes well. It also makes an unusual buffet-supper desert.



1-1/4 cups sifted Flour

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon soda

1/2 cup vegetable shortening

3 small ripe bananas or 1 cup puree

2 eggs



Sift dry ingredients into a bowl. If you have a blender, place all the other ingredients in it and whip until they form an emulsion. Otherwise, combine the shortening and the dry ingredients with your fingers, as you would for biscuits or pie crust. Puree the bananas and add to the flour and shortening, along with the well-beaten eggs. (Whichever method you use, fold the liquid ingredients into the dry very quickly, and do not over-mix. The batter should resemble muffin batter.) Spoon into the prepared pan, and smooth the surface with the back of the mixing spoon. Set the pan down on the kitchen table with a thump to remove air holes. Place in a 350 degree oven and bake 40 to 45 minutes or until bread tests done with a wire cake tester. Remove from oven. Let stand 5 minutes. Loosen edges with a dull knife, and turn out onto a wire cake rack covered with waxed paper. Cool to room temperature before slicing.



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This was a clipping from a magazine - the writing at the top was the direct quote. This seems to have been clipped in the 40's.