TWD: Mango Bread

Mango bread? Never heard of it! Apparently it’s a Southern thang. After making mango bread for the first time this week, I think it’s going to be a regular thing–sorry, thang–around my house from now on, because I totally dug it! Here are the main flavor components of mango bread:
Yes, the dreaded raisins strike again. Why anyone would want shriveled grape carcasses in their delicious spiced mango bread is beyond me, but never fear–I left them out and was all the happier for it.

I’m a big fan of most quick breads–banana bread and pumpkin bread are both high on my list of fast and easy desserts/snacks/breakfasts/etc. This bread was very similar in texture to banana bread, right down to the amazing crackly, sugary crisp top layer. I pretty much never eat the bottom half of these breads, but could devour the top half in one sitting. If anyone ever opens a Seinfeld-esque Top of the Muffin bakery, for reals, I would be their biggest customer. I was surprised at how subtle the mango flavor was in the final product, since there was a lot of mango added. But it seemed to blend in very nicely during the baking, and I thought the balance of ginger, lime, and mango flavors was perfect. My one quibble with the recipe would be the pan size, since I got the Mt. Vesuvious of bread eruptions in my oven from using an 8.5 x 4.5 pan. I really debated using the pan, since it seemed so small (oh hindsight, call me next time!) but decided to follow the recipe, like a sucker. Next time, my larger 9.5 pan for sure.
One last note, because I think I have some Eddie Izzard fans reading. He does one particular sketch where he’s talking about making breakfast, and he sings about “freshly squeeeezed mango juuuuice!” and that phrase has been on a loop in my head every time I think about this bread, only it goes, “Freshly baaaaked mango breeeead!” And um, I don’t really know how to finish this anecdote, because I guess it isn’t really that funny out of context. The end.