Chocolate Chip Banana Bread!!!

 How to Improve Banana Bread?

Why just add chocolate, of course!!!

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

I like to keep bananas around. Lily enjoys eating them, I like to slice them in oatmeal or they are good in pancake batter. (though I must admit I need a LOT of practice with making pancakes. I make yummy batter but then make the pancakes too big or burn them or they stick. Much practice is needed here!)

Anyway! I hate to see bananas go to waste so if they start getting overripe I make Banana Bread. 

Here's the recipe:
Banana Bread Recipe

Chocolate chip goodness sprinkled in JUST enough to be a yummy treat.

Today I remembered I had some chocolate chips so I decided to toss them into the batter.  I didn't add too much (maybe 1/4 of a cup) so I sprinkled some on top. The bread turned out so yummy! The sweet, occasional chip is a happy reward.

What else could one do to alter Banana Bread? Nuts? Raisins? 

What is your favorite Banana bread recipe? Share a recipe or link in the comments section.


Kids Baking Cookbook-Buy at Amazon

Kneading bread the EASY way. Is it worth it?

I wouldn't really consider this a hack, but I have found that I really hate kneading bread. Most recipes call for 10 minutes of this.  Who else has started at the clock endlessly thinking "10 minutes HAS to be up by now!" only to find it's been 3 minutes. Ugh.

So! New bakers-just use your mixer with the right attachment. EASY!

HOWEVER…..This is the loaf of bread I made with the dough done the easy way. Not very pretty…..I was worried but good GOLLY is it delicious. The crust is just the right bit of crispy and the inside light and fluffly with the tiniest bit of sweetness. I guess if I'm baking just for my family I don't mind a little Franken-bread!

Cooking my way through "Kids Cooking"

As cooks go, I am as CLUELESS as they come. I am 44 years old (as of Jan. 30th, 2014…) and I JUST started learn how to cook. I ESPECIALLY had not experience with baking!
Then, another Mom blog gifted me with a fun cookbook designed for kids.

http://www.amazon.com/Williams-Sonoma-Baking

I began with oatmeal raisin cookies with my daughter Lily, 2 and my stepson Calvin, then 14.  We had a grand time baking cookies and even more fun eating them! We made extra and I was able to turn those into a house warming gift.

I was hooked!  So for all the other clueless cooks out there, the first time bakers and new Mommies (what happens when you get married and have children-suddenly your desire to cook for your family emerges….I don't know why but I'm loving it!)

So check back as I work my way throught this awesome and easy cookbook. Past posts feature Banana Bread which is also from this book. In addition my background photo is the amazing Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake from this cookbook.