Best Banana Bread In Minnesota
One of the great pleasures in life is a slice of freshly baked banana bread still warm from the oven and heaped with a dollop of butter that slowly soaks into the moist doughy texture below. The art of baking is alive and well in Minnesota, and many artisans have perfected the craft of sweet breads, especially banana bread. One can find bakeries, restaurants and delis in the area with fresh banana bread offered daily. Here is an eclectic list of five of the best banana breads in Minnesota. See if you agree, or nominate your own favorite at the end of the article.
Breadsmith
1579 Grand Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55105
(651) 690-3224
www.breadsmithmn.com
Not only does Breadsmith offer its crowd-pleasing classic banana bread every day of the week, but shoppers can also take it home as a loaf, as muffins or as mini muffins. All three stores in Edina, Minnetonka and St. Paul offer the same choices for tasty banana bread with walnuts and mouth-watering banana chocolate chip bread. Breadsmith believes the popularity of its banana breads are because if their characteristically pleasing taste and texture.
May Day Cafe
3440 Bloomington Ave S.
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 729-5627
maydaycafempls.com
This deli-styled bistro serves delicious treats from behind the counter to patrons who can grab a cozy table and chair in an area that seats 20 or so. May Day's menu touts soups, sandwiches, quiches and a variety of sweet-smelling freshly baked goods. Availability and selection varies from day to day. Sweet bread selections range from banana walnut to cranberry zucchini and sweet potato pound cake. One generous slice of banana bread served by the friendly staff is like a trip back to grandma's house.
PJ Murphy's Bakery
1279 Randolph Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55105
(651) 699-9292
www.pjmurphybakery.com
Stop by PJ's for an inexpensive pick-me-up while driving around St Paul. The ambient aroma of freshly baked breads and sweets greet you as you enter. A couple bucks will get you a coffee and a sweet thing. This neighborhood shop has been baking bread for 80 years and prides itself on doing the simple things well. Its banana bread is made with nothing but the most tasty and nutritious natural ingredients. It's well worth a try.
Related: Best Bread Shops In The Twin Cities
Libertine
3001 Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 877-7263
www.libertinempls.com
Grab a warm slice of banana bread just out of the oven at Libertine's great brunch every Saturday or Sunday. It is so good, the restaurant offers it as a banana bread Nutella French toast. The bread is drenched in egg, fried and crowned with caramelized banana slices, heaped with nutritious Nutella and smothered with dark rum flavored whipped cream. This creative taste treat comes from Libertine's chef Tim McKee, a James Beard award-winner formerly with La Belle Vie.
Bordertown Coffee
315 16th Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 379-7277
www.bordertowncoffee.com
Stop by Bordertown for a big slice of its ever-popular freshly baked banana bread along, with a daily fix of Costa Rican drip coffee. If you tire of the banana bread, choose a giant chocolate chip cookie or a vegan ginger muffin. Hang on to your cup, as the first refill is free. Bordertown purchases fair trade coffee from small farms all over the world. Greg Silker founded the non-profit Bordertown Coffee a decade ago to reinforce friendship through social involvement in a quest to alleviate poverty and improve the community.
Related: Best Of Minnesota: Bakery
Robin Johnson was born in Annandale, Minn. and graduated from Richfield High School and then the University of Minnesota where he studied Political Science, Business and Industrial Relations. A writer for Examiner.com, he also consults with a variety of organizations and individuals helping them develop and grow. His work can be found at Examiner.com.
