Banana Bread

To be completely honest, there is nothing special about this banana bread. It is simple, moist, flavorful but nothing that just screams "make me". I did cut the sugar and added in some peanut butter and chocolate chips to the mix and it turned out great. So, here's the thing..if you have some bananas laying around that need to be used, make this bread. You won't be sorry.

Banana Bread
3 ripe bananas
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup PB and chocolate chips, or chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mash up bananas and mix flour, baking powder, salt and sugar until combined. Mix in the melted butter. Fold in PB and chocolate chips or nuts, if using.

Pour into loaf pan and bake for 45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Tropical Banana Bread, the Lightened Up Version!

My biggest problem with trying to watch what I eat, is the sweets. I have a really big sweet tooth! It's ok, I can admit it. I am not a huge fan of banana bread, but make it tropical and I am all in. And to make it even better, it is a healthier version. This loaf serves 12, and each serving is 185 calories! So, now I don't feel as guilty!

Tropical Banana Bread
From: Woman's World Magazine

2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 ripe bananas, mashed
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup refrigerated liquid egg substitute
1/3 cup 1% low fat milk
1 can (8oz) crushed pineapple, drained, squeezed dry

For the glaze:
2/3 cup confectioner's sugar
1/2 tsp coconut extract
1 Tbsp 1% low fat milk

Toasted coconut for garnish, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat 8 1/2 x4 1/2 loaf pan with cooking spray. Combine flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and cinnamon; reserve. On medium high speed, beat bananas and sugar until blended. Stir in egg. On low speed, beat in reserved flour mixture alternately with milk until just combined. Stir in pineapple. Transfer to pan. Bake 45 minutes or until pick inserted comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Transfer to rack; cool.

Combine confectioners sugar, extract and milk until smooth. Pour over bread. Sprinkle with coconut.

Banana-Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies

If you like the combination of banana and peanut butter, you will absolutely love these! You have a banana cake, and peanut butter and cream cheese filling and a drizzle of a chocolate glaze on these. I can't remember where I found these little babies, so if it is you, thanks for a great recipe. But, I am so glad that I did try them! So, if for some reason, you are over run with ripe bananas, instead of making banana bread, try these! I know that you will love them!

Banana-Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies

2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup mashed banana
1/2 cup plain fat free yogurt (I used vanilla flavored)
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, mix together banana and yogurt. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine butter and both sugars completely, ten add egg and beat until just combined. Add vanilla.

Alternately mix flour and banana mixture into creamed butter until just combined, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Scoop mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a 1/4 inch tip. (I used my cookie scoop.)

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and pipe batter into 1 1/4 inch rounds. Bake in oven just until the edges are slightly golden brown--you want the resulting cake to be soft and moist, not crispy. About 10-12 minutes. Transfer parchment to cooling rack and cool completely.

For the filling:
16 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioner's sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

In a medium bowl, use and electric mixer to beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add sugar, vanilla and peanut butter and mix until combined. Spoon mixture into a pastry bag with the end cut off.

Pipe filling onto the flat side of half of the cakes and then top with the other half of the cakes. Drizzle with chocolate glaze.

Chocolate glaze:
1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
2 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp corn syrup

Melt all ingredients in double boiler, or a glass bowl over a pot of simmering water. Mix until smooth. Do not over heat, or it will become grainy. Drizzle over whoopie pies.

These would be perfect for an afternoon tea with the girls!