Hawaiian Hospitality Banana Nut Bread

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 C).
• Line bottoms of two (8 x 4 x 2 1/2-inch) loaf pans with parchment paper.
• Spray parchment paper with cooking spray; set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl combine the first 5 ingredients (the flour through the cinnamon) and stir with a wire wisk to blend well.
• Stir in nuts to combine and set aside.
• In a medium mixing bowl, combine the eggs, oil, mashed bananas, drained crushed pineapple and the vanilla; mix well.
• Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredient mixture and mix only enough to moisten the dry ingredients.
• Spoon the batter into the two prepared loaf pans, dividing equally between the two pans and level tops with a rubber spatula.
• Bake in preheated 350 degree F (180 C) oven for 60 to 70 minutes, checking for doneness at 60 minutes with a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center of breads.
• If toothpick or cake tester comes out with moist crumbs, continue to bake for 5 to 10 more minutes.
• The breads are done when they spring back when gently touched.
• Remove to wire racks and let cool in pans for 20 minutes, then invert breads onto wire racks, remove parchment paper and let cool completely.
• Serve warm or at room temperature.
• *These loaves keep quite well wraped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil for up to 5 days at room temperature or 3 months in the freezer.
• Loaves can also be wraped in plastic wrap and kept in the refrigerator, if needed.
• ++HOW TO TOAST NUTS OR COCONUT:
• Heat oven to 350°F (180 C).
• Spread nuts in a single layer on a cookie sheet.
• Bake for 5 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown to golden brown, stirring occasionally. (The baking time will vary, depending on the type of nut.)
• Watch them closely to avoid over-browning.
• ***To toast in the microwave oven, spread nuts in a microwave-safe pan.
• Microwave on HIGH for 4 to 8 minutes or until light golden brown, stirring frequently.
• TO TOAST COCONUT FLAKES::
• ****Heat the oven to 350°F (180 C).
• Spread coconut flakes evenly on a cookie sheet.
• Bake for 7 to 8 minutes or until light golden brown.
• Stir the coconut or shake the pan frequently so it will brown evenly.
• Watch closely to avoid over-browning.
• To toast in the microwave oven, spread coconut flakes in a microwave-safe pan.
• Microwave on HIGH for 4 1/2 to 8 minutes, tossing the coconut with a fork after each minute.
• To avoid over browning remove toasted nuts or coconut flakes from baking pan immediately after baking or microwaving.