Thomas' Banana Bread Bagels

On a quick lunchtime trip through Wal-Mart I noticed a display of Thomas' bagels. I know Thomas' likes to come out with limited edition bagels and since it had been some time since I've had a bagel I decided to see what was to offer. Low and behold I stumbled upon the Thomas' Banana Bread Bagels and immediately was sold.

The bagels themselves smell amazing through the bag. They smell very reminiscent of banana bread. There's a banana and cinnamon scent clearly evident running throughout the bag which was just a heavenly scent.

Unfortunately that tickle on the senses doesn't as smoothly run over into the taste of the product. They certainly don't scream banana bread when you eat it. It's got a plain bagel flavor, perhaps even a cinnamon raisin (without the raisin) flavor to the bagel itself. Although you do get a banana flavor when you bite into one of the banana pieces within the dough itself. I guess you can say they're a hint of banana bread to it but certainly not quite. I'd say, don't bite into it expecting to taste the real deal banana bread because you'll be disappointed.

They're certainly not a bad bagel, but they're not as flavorful as I may have hoped for. Although I did find I enjoyed them most with some peanut butter and a few pieces of sliced banana on it. It made for a killer tasty, peanut buttery banana filled breakfast.

Each bagel is 260 calories or 7 points plus values.

Skinnytaste Roasted Strawberry Banana Bread

I'm a fan of Skinnytaste recipes, especially when I need something different which pushes me to eat outside the box (i.e. the same things different ways). I've seen the recipe for the Skinnytaste Roasted Strawberry Banana Bread time after time, but had yet to try it out.  That is, until it turned out that I had a few extra ripe bananas and some excess strawberries in the refrigerator that were in need of use.

Before trying this recipe, I would have never thought of roasting strawberries, but it's definitely a unique twist. It brought a whole new flavor and level of moistness to the banana bread that was truly unique. I love the classic banana bread (with walnuts) but I have to say ... this took the “cake”.  This is undoubtedly one of the best banana breads I have tried. As with classic deserts strawberries typically always compliment banana … so it’s no real wonder to me as to why this is a fabulous combination.

The bread itself was delicious. Moist, soft, a little chewy and was a perfect spin on a classic.  Out of the two banana breads I made (the classic with walnuts and this) the strawberry was gone within a day and a half and the classic lingered a little longer.

The greatest part is a serving (1/16th of the loaf) is only 88 calories and for those who follow Weight Watchers, a slice was only 2 points plus values.

If you’d like to give the bread a try, you can find the recipe on the skinnytaste website.

Thomas’ Limited Edition Banana Bread English Muffins

I love banana bread so when I saw these Thomas’ Limited Edition Banana Bread English Muffins they immediately had to become part of my grocery purchase.

English muffins are quite a breakfast food staple, at least for me – growing up it was either toast or English muffins.  Whereas, banana bread has always been a classic homemade breakfast food/snack/dessert that my family made for each other as well as family friends.  I quite enjoy the two on their own and have even incorporated English muffins into pizza and banana bread flavorings into pancakes.  So, needless to say when I spotted these I was completely and utterly intrigued. I just made homemade banana bread which was the same points plus equivalent.  These also smelled heavenly – even through the plastic bag they’re sold in!

My 15 month old nephew was over, so I figured it was a perfect time to try one out, so I toasted one up, spritzed it with spray butter and he and I shared one.  I thought it was so yummy - a modern twist on a classic.  Since I toasted mine, you get that expected exterior crisp on the outside, the inside being a little bit softer.  The flavor is undoubtedly banana bread (sans nuts) and I did not find the flavoring to be overwhelming or “fake”.  I quite enjoyed it. You may be asking, what were my nephew’s sentiments? “Yum!”

One muffin is 4 points plus values.

QUESTION:

Have you tried the Thomas’ banana bread English muffins?

Skinnytaste Low Fat Banana Nut Bread

I had some ripe bananas on the counter that needed to be put to good use. I’m very picky with bananas if they start to get brown spots on them, I don’t want to eat them so I typically let them sit to get browner so I can make a dessert with them.  I had an over abundance of bananas to use up so I decided to make banana bread so I could bring a bread to my dad for Father’s Day (since banana bread is one of his favorites).

I followed the recipe exactly as listed and it was so easy to make.  The most time consuming part is waiting for them to finish baking.  I let them sit overnight to cool completely, wrapped one up and brought it over to my dad the next day and the remaining banana bread I kept for the house.  My boyfriend is a big fan of banana bread and he was enjoying it. I had a slice and it was seriously delicious.  The greatest part was 1/13^th of each individual bread is 4 points plus (with the walnuts).

My dad had some banana bread later on in the day when I had given it to him, so he gave me a call to let me know it was delicious.  Winning banana bread!

To see the recipe I followed to make these yummy banana breads, see here: http://www.skinnytaste.com/2008/11/makeover-banana-nut-bread-3-pts.html

QUESTION:

Have you made banana bread at home?