Do you ever have those days, in which you are speeding along but, instead of moving forward in a fluid-like motion, your feet feel like they are strapped to square wheels for mobility? Yeah, that was me all day Sunday.
To make matters worse, I was at a complete deficit with creativity. One would think that for all the shooting I do, here on the blog and outside the blog, I’d have more styling ideas.
At least that’s the expectation I have more myself, so when I fall short— I just want to pitch everything in the trash bin–dramatic, petulant–I know. Guilty as charged.
Luckily, those thoughts never materialize and what I end up with are some blah pictures, like what you see here. Unfortunately, since I really wanted them to be as smashing as the recipe. But so be it—sigh—let’s focus on the cake, don’t let my lack of photography skills fool you.
This blueberry-coconut banana bread is a recipe I developed for Clabber Girl Baking Powder. It’s incredibly moist and tender, and the blueberries give the banana bread base a nice fruity burst, while the coconut gives the ensemble another subtle layer of sweetness and flavor.

Blueberry-Coconut Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Clabber Girl Baking Powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/3 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup ripe bananas, mashed (about 2 bananas at 11 oz. total)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup canola oil
- 10 oz. blueberries (divided use)
- ½ cup toasted coconut, (Optional: plus 1/4 cup more for sprinkling on top)
ptional:
- To make blueberry glaze
- 2 oz blueberries
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 cups confectioner's sugar
Instructions
Instructions: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly cover a bundt pan with non-stick spray and dust with flour.
- Whisk and combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl; set aside. In a separate bowl cream eggs and sugar until well blended and light in color. Stir in mashed bananas, vanilla and oil. Stir flour mixture, then gently fold in blueberries and toasted coconut. Divide batter into two 9x5 loaf pans or pour batter into one large bundt pan (batter will thick) Bake for about 1 hour (start checking for doness at 45 minutes) or until skewer inserted in the center comes out free of wet batter (moist crumbs okay). Set aside to cool completely.
- To make blueberry glaze: Place blueberries, water and sugar in a pan and heat until mixture boils and blueberries bursts. Remove from heat and push mixture through a sieve; set aside to cool. Once cooled sift confectioner sugar into mixture and whisk until smooth. Add in 1 teaspoon of water at a time if needed to achieve a pouring consistency. Pour glaze on top of Blueberry-Coconut Banana Bread (and optional: sprinkle with coconut).
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Clabber Girl Baking Powder as part of an ongoing ambassadorship. However, all opinions are my own.
Sounds like our Sunday’s were pretty similar. I had the same issues going on and it was horrible. So annoying.
BUT you are crazy and even what you think are bad photos, I think are amazing. This looks awesome!
now THAT is a good looking bread.. and the colour of the glaze is just amazing. love it, looks too good!
You just had a baby! The fact that you’re making gorgeous cakes is truly amazing!!! Naomi, you’re superwoman 🙂 pinned
Such a pretty bread, I love that striking blueberry glaze!
OO I love a good bundt, they are so photogenic on their own, I love that picture. I could never do any as good as that, don’t be so hard on yourself.
I’ll have to whip this one up, especially with that Magenta frosting!
We are all our worst enemy in that regard! I’m sure you’re busy juggling baby and other kids. It’s amazing that you’re back to blogging so fast!
I have to say I love everything except the coconut. Is it me or do most guys not particularly like coconut. Don’t be made at me but my wife is making this and excluding the coconut.
Your rather “blah” picture trumps my best ones! This photo is gorgeous and LOVE the blueberry/coconut/banana combo! YUM!!!
Such a yummy flavour for banana bread! Also, the bundt shape makes this so pretty!
Love this cake, the colors are beautiful, Naomi!
I have had many days like the one you describe. These are gorgeous (as always)
Love the blueberry coconut combo and what amazing colours!
Beautiful flavors, beautiful cake!!
THIS IS SO PRETTY THO!
You are hard on yourself:)
Personally I would be thrilled had I shot that photo:)
Always always beautiful here.
Love everything about this bread!
The recipe I read was such fun. It started out using a bundt pan, and I wondered if I could use a loaf pan. The directions continued using 2 loaf pans. Question answered! Blueberries called for and switched to blackberries in recipe and then back to blueberries. Can I use other berries…answered! Perfect!
this is so beautiful Naomi and is totally visually exciting to me!! Plus- looks delicious.
This cake looks fabulous!!
So pretty! I never tire of banana bread, what a super lovely one you have here.
This is seriously gorgeous, Naomi! It came out perfectly!
WHOA. I would gladly have a slice….or two of these beautiful bread!
So very lovely. I just can’t get over it. That wire rack and the background color are perfection [besides the bread, of course].
HI Mary – you can use a bundt pan or two loaves. As for the berries, yes you can use either blackberries or blueberries-use what you have on hand.
This is beautiful! Lack of photography skills?! Not from where I’m sitting! This is way better than any of my photos even when I’m pretty happy with them! Also love blueberries with banana, and that glaze is sooooo pretty!!
Oh my, I wish my good pictures came out as well as your bad ones! I love your photography and styling! Going to put this bread on my list of recipes to try.
So beautiful! That glaze is stunning. I couldn’t ever bore myself of banana bread anyway, but adding blueberries and coconut seems like a fantastic variation on a classic favorite.
it looks delicious!
Love the colors of the bread and icing. YUM!
That photo is perfect – seriously!! Love all the colors and the rusticity of it. You’re incredibly talented no matter what you think!!
Blah pictures?!? HA! Gurrrrl, you cray-zy! In a good way. haha 😀
And, this is stunning!!
I think the cake looks fantastic!! Anything but “Blah”!! Love the hot pink icing!!
this cake is beautiful AND I love that photo!!
This sounds like the ultimate cake to eat with a big mug of coffee. And just look at that beautiful glaze! So PURPLE. 🙂
Look at that gorgeous purple color! This bundt is stunning!
I made this cake last night, and it turned out fabulous. The cake is moist and flavorful. I confess that I was frightened off by the color of the glaze, so I used a plain vanilla glaze instead. Thank you for such a great recipe!
These are definitely not blah picutres! Instead I want to dive into this right now. It looks so good.
That blueberry glaze takes this to the next level, gorgeous!!
Just made this last night! I used coconut oil instead of canola. Turned out great and very moist!
This looks absolutely delicious! The recipe looks easy enough to follow (which is good since I am terrible at cooking and baking)….I think this is definitely something I would try
I like the pink color. If you put some heart decoration on top, it would be the perfect temptation for Valentine’s Day. Thanks for sharing. And happy Cooking…
Wow that blueberry glaze is gorgeous and adds such a great pop of color! Great pictures, my mouth is watering as we speak!