Banana Bread

I remember the first thing I ever baked on my own, it was banana bread. Back then I’m pretty sure my dad did the whole “this is great…” thing that you are obligated to say to your kids even if it sucked. I remember trying SO HARD to find a good recipe, until I realized that you really have to make it up as you go along. The basics are best, then just tweak them.

I remember how empowered I felt when I actually nailed it, and people loved it. How accomplished I felt when people would say how much they looked forward to whatever I was baking up. It truly is a great feeling.

Enough of the drawn out story, this is the first (and my personal fav) recipe I ever made.

3 very ripe bananas, mashed

1/3 cup butter, melted and salted

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup of sugar (3/4 cup if you like it more sweet)

1 egg beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cup flour

1 cup chocolate chips or walnuts.

(No Kitchen Aid needed! I find it best to hand mix this recipe)

- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

- In a large bowl, mash the bananas with the back of a fork. Mix in butter.

- Add in beaten egg and baking soda and continue to combine. Add in sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix in flour.

- Pour batter in a greased loaf pan (4x8 inch pan is best) and cook for 50-60 mins until a toothpick comes out clean.

- Allow to cool in pan for about 10

minutes, then remove and transfer to cooling rack.

- Slice up and enjoy!