I became a huge fan of Beth and her Tasty Yummies blog from the moment I found them both. Beth makes recipes that I want to try every single week—like today’s gluten-free Banana Coconut Bread—so it was an easy choice to adopt her this month for Sea’s (Book of Yum) Adopt a Gluten-Free Blogger event.
Adopt a Gluten-Free Blogger is the longstanding blogging event where one blogger adopts another blogger who is gluten free or has gluten-free recipes (by category) on his/her site, makes at least one the adoptee’s recipes, and shares the review and photos. Sea, the event’s creator and usual hostess, has been doing her doctoral dissertation in Japan so she’s had to take a break from her usual hostess duties and has had some other great stand-in hostesses the last few months. This month it’s Kate of Eat, Recycle, Repeat (this blog is no longer active).
Beth is one of those multi-talented folks who make our world a much more interesting, sweeter, and more delicious place. She and her husband have their own design company, so it should come as no surprise that her cute blog header is one of their designs. I actually had the privilege of seeing Beth and her husband’s excellent, super appealing design work up close. I had shared a photograph on Facebook of a bumper sticker that I’d spied on the road—“Love People … Cook Them Tasty Food”—and I had stated how much I adored that message. Beth and several others pointed out that the bumper sticker was one of Penzey’s. Then Beth went on to send me one of the bumper stickers, as well as several of her kitchen-themed designs. I loved her and her husband’s work for its simple design and colors and was so very grateful that she’d shared them with me!
In her sidebar, Beth explains that she’s both gluten free and dairy free and goes on to describe herself as a “conscientious omnivore” who eats mostly vegetarian. (You can read more on Beth on her About page.) Many of Beth’s recipes are actually vegan, not just vegetarian, so I’ve referred many gfe gluten-free, vegan readers to her site. But you don’t have to be either to enjoy her recipes.
I honestly don’t remember how long I’ve been reading Beth’s blog. I’m pretty sure I followed a linky thumbnail (in one of my favorite weekly roundups) over to her site and was immediately hooked. I commented. She replied and the next thing you knew we were friends. The power of the blogosphere once again; don’t you love it? Here’s just a “taste” of some of Beth’s many recipes: Vegan Caramel Dipping Sauce, No Bake Banana Cream Pie, No Bake Pumpkin Spice Balls, Grain-Free Mini Pumpkin Pie Tarts, Zucchini Socca with Caramelized Onions … oh one could get carried away with all the goodness! Plus, she also lets you peek into her life beyond cooking and baking when she shares her Photo Fun Day Friday posts like this most recent one.
With four small, very ripe bananas on my kitchen counter, it was the recipe for Beth’s gluten-free Banana Coconut Bread, which she calls Grain-Free Banana Coconut Mini Loaves, that was the ideal choice for me. I had not yet tried a grain-free version of banana bread, so I was excited to try Beth’s recipe based on the beautiful photos in her post. She used a set of eight mini-loaves. I didn’t have mini loaf pans as small as those in Beth’s set, but I did have some mini loaf pans that were a bit larger—four “quarter pans” that equaled one “full” loaf in volume, of which I used three. I increased the baking time by a few minutes as the pans held more batter.
This Banana Coconut Bread was very easy to make and tasted very good, and it was more than a bit surprising. In the best possible way, I should add. When I took my first bite, the initial nibbles whispered “too moist” … “not sweet enough,” but by the time I’d finished eating that very same mouthful my thinking had changed to “this bread is just right” and “what a lovely texture and perfect sweetness.” And you won’t believe that this bread is grain free either. It simply does not taste like it’s made of mostly almond flour because the bananas, coconut flour, coconut oil, and shredded coconut (plus a small amount of honey and vanilla extract) work together to create a traditional banana bread taste and texture.
I suspect it will taste even better tomorrow after overnight refrigeration per Beth’s recommendation. Oh, and with a little dab of my Homemade Pumpkin Butter (the maple syrup version), it was especially delightful! In summary, this recipe is a big winner and gives me even more of an incentive to start working through all of Beth’s gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free recipes. That’s a “to do” list I can take on! Join me?
Originally published November 6, 2012; updated October 9, 2017.
Melissa @ glutenfreeforgood says
Thanks for tipping us off to Beth and her grain free banana mini loaves. I like the idea of mixing banana with the nut flours to add sweetness and moisture. Will be trying this!
Melissa
Shirley says
Hey Melissa–Finally getting back on here to catch up with comments after a busy week and time away with the girlfriends. 😉 Beth creates some amazing, healthier recipes. These loaves are so good, but yet one doesn’t want to overindulge with them. Now you know that’s a win-win! 🙂
Shirley
Cheryl says
Those look wonderful. And I need to get one of those bumper stickers!
Beth @ Tasty Yummies says
Cheryl, that sticker comes from Penzey’s spices, they give them away at the registers. I just love them!! Shirley had mentioned wanting one, so I sent her an extra I had, plus some other goodies that I made. Hope you can locate one for yourself 🙂
Shirley says
Hey Cheryl–I predict there will be a run on those bumper stickers after this post! LOL I just love the sentiment. 🙂 I think “healthy” food is implied in that message, too. 😉 And, yes, I think you would very much approve of these loaves!
Shirley
Shannon @ Enjoying Gluten-Free Life says
I’ve been wanting to try something that combined coconut flour with my fave almond flour. With lots of bananas in the freezer, this looks like a winner. As usual, you find great blogs.
Shirley says
Thanks, Shannon! That combo is a great one for sure. Hope you enjoy these mini-loaves if you make them! 🙂
Shirley
Kate @ Eat, Recycle, Repeat says
These look amazing! And thanks for the mentions Shirley. This recipe and your combinations look wonderful ~ I’m so happy you joined in the event! I’m off to dream of coconut, pumpkin, and delicious fall quick breads 🙂
Shirley says
Kate–I think you’d like Beth’s mini-loaves very much! Can’t wait to see your Adopt a Gluten-Free Blogger roundup, and I agree that fall quick breads are definitely dreamworthy. 😉
Shirley
InTolerantChef says
These certainly sound delightful indeed! Yummo!
Shirley says
Hi InTolerant Chef–I think many of us can go for the flavor combo here. 😉
Shirley
Cara says
So nice to see Beth featured here, she is so talented and a sweetheart!
Beth @ Tasty Yummies says
Thanks so much Cara! Back ‘atcha lady 🙂
Shirley says
Hi Cara–I couldn’t agree more! And she’s everywhere of late, too. She’s prolific with all her amazing recipes. 🙂
Shirley
Anne-Marie says
Hi Shirley! I’m visiting from Gluten-Free Wednesday. Great post (and great looking loaves…yum!)! I love discovering new GF blogs…I’m so excited to peruse both your and Beth’s blogs!
I’d love for you to share this post (and any others you’d like to) on my new blog hop, {Wheat-Free Wednesday}! Hope to see you there! 🙂
http://www.annemariecain.com/wheat-free-wednesday-11-07-12/
Anne-Marie
Shirley says
Hi Anne-Marie–Welcome to gfe! 🙂 Hope you’ll have fun checking out my and Beth’s blogs. 😉
Thanks so much for the invitation!
Shirley
Alisa says
Tasty yummies is definitely the right name for this goodie. And the pumpkin butter? You really know down home goodness Shirley!
Shirley says
Alisa–Thanks, dear! I think you’d really like the pumpkin butter. And I’m pretty sure that you would enjoy Beth’s Banana Coconut Mini-Loaves and all her wonderful recipes. Tasty Yummies, indeed! 😉
Shirley
Maggie says
I have recently fallen in love with Beth and her blog. Her recipes are perfectly amazing, and her photography leaves me swooning 🙂 Thanks for sharing more of her. xo
Beth @ Tasty Yummies says
Aww thanks Maggie 🙂 You are too sweet and now I am blushing 🙂
Shirley says
Hey Maggie–It’s great to see you, my friend. 🙂 Beth is a really great find, isn’t she? I love seeing each and every recipe of hers!
xo,
Shirley
Beth @ Tasty Yummies says
Gosh, how did I miss this Shirley?!?! Head down and barreling through all the work to get out of town, I suppose. My reader is soo overloaded right now 😉
Thank you, thank you, thank you. This post is just about the sweetest thing I have ever read and you seriously made my whole day! I am so glad you enjoyed the banana bread recipe, I cannot wait to make them again myself. 🙂
I am so lucky to have connected with you via the internet you and your site are such a source of joy for me 🙂 Thank you. xoxo <3
Shirley says
Hi Beth–No worries, dear! I know that you were super busy heading out of town. And if I had to rely on a reader, I’d miss many, many posts. 😉 You are welcome for this post; I just told the truth on all! 🙂 These loaves are a great recipe. The only thing I’d change is perhaps adding some chopped nuts. I think I’d like a bit of crunch with the banana and coconut. 😉
As far as your last comment, I feel exactly the same way, Beth! xoxo,
Shirley
amber says
What a fantastic adoption, Shirley. I love how wonderfully (and honestly) you capture people. You take the time to really share them and I love that about you. I also enjoy Beth’s blog and her recipes. I’ve made several!!! And thanks for linking up to AFW this week.
I’ve been so busy with the home buying process…just barely have enough time for blogging, but it’s one of my favorite hobbies and outlets so I try to do a little when I can! The big move comes in a few weeks. 🙂
Hope you are well lovely lady.
Hugs,
–Amber
Shirley says
Thanks, sweet Amber! I try to do my best. So happy that you have already experienced the goodness of Beth’s recipes! And congrats on the upcoming move! Do not feel guilty on missing out of blogging because of real life. You’ll get to share again when things settle down for you. 😉
xo,
Shirley
Kim - Cook It Allergy Free says
Shirley, you are the best adopter ever. You are so thorough and share such a great insight into who they are! 🙂 I really love the idea of these banana coconut loaves. They sound perfect. Going to go check out the recipe now.
xo
k
Shirley says
Awww, thanks, Kim! I certainly try to share what I know about my adoptees! 😉 We have some absolutely fantastic folks in our gluten-free community and I just want others to know about them. That’s why Sea’s event is such a great one, for allowing us all to make so many valuable and fun connections. 🙂 And, yes, I think you will enjoy these healthier, but still delish loaves!
xo,
Shirley
Diane-thewholegang says
I shouldn’t read these when I’m hungry. That looks so good!
Shirley says
Diane–That’s always the case, isn’t it? These are healthy, not too sweet treats, and one has no desire to overindulge with them. Gotta love that! Next time I make these, I’ll freeze individual slices to pull out later. 🙂
Shirley