Banana Bread (healthy.. I think)

I modified the recipe a little and I also doubled it to make 2 loaves. One to eat and one to freeze. Here's your list of ingredients.

1 1/2 C Flour (I did half white and half whole wheat, healthy!)

1 1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda (I forgot this in mine today, oops.. still turned out though, it just probably would have risen more)

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp salt

2 slightly beaten egg whites (healthy!)

1 C mashed banana (black, or almost there.... sorry it's missing from the picture)

3/4 C sugar

1/4 C vegetable oil (I substituted this for the same amount of the coconut oil and it turned out just fine and tasted just the same... HEALTHY!)

Stir together all dry ingredients (flour, baking powder and soda, cinnamon, salt, sugar).

Mash up the banana (excuse the measuring. Again, I doubled it)

Beat those egg whites a bit.

Then toss everything in the bowl along with whatever oil you use.

Mix it all together until just moistened, then spread in well greased loaf pan. For the extra calories and sugar jolt, I sprinkle a generous helping of sugar on the top. It gets all crystallized and crunchy.... oh so good. Try it, you'll like it :)

Bake at 350* for 45-50 mins.

Cool for 10 minutes then remove from pan. I cooked mine a little too long. Being a mom will do that to your baked goods, dangit ;) After it's cooled completely wrap in plastic wrap. If freezing, wrap in plastic wrap then stick it in a gallon sized freezer Ziploc bag.

ENJOY!

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James Beard's Blonde Brownies

I recently came across this recipe in a cookbook dedicated to brownies that my mom has had since I can remember. I was a true believer after I made the first batch. They are so yummy - especially served warm.

James Beard's Blonde Brownies
1/2 cup butter
5 oz white chocolate
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla (I actually double this because I LOVE the taste of vanilla)
1 cup sifted flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups pecans or walnuts (I have made it with both, and I actually prefer the pecans, but go with whatever suits your fancy!)


1. Melt butter and chocolate in a saucepan over low heat.


2. Remove from heat, stir in the sugar, then beat in the eggs and vanilla. (IMPORTANT: Stirring in the sugar completely before adding the eggs helps to cool the butter/chocolate mixture, thus preventing the eggs from scrambling)
3. Quickly stir in the flour, salt and nuts to just lightly mix.

(sorry, this cutie is not currently available for hire)

4. Spread in a well-greased 9x13 baking pan.


5. Bake at 325F for 30 minutes. Do not over-bake or they will lose their chewy texture.
6. Remove from pan to a rack to cool. While still slightly warm, cut into squares with greased knife.

ENJOY!

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