Cocoa Banana Bars

cocoa banana bars...yum!

these were more cake-like than i expected them to be. however, i waited for them to completely cool and they sliced very nicely into beautifully shaped bars. the kids loved their after school snack so much, they kept sneaking into the kitchen for seconds...and thirds....

PRINTABLE VERSION
what you need:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup chocolate chips
chopped walnuts (optional)

how to make them:
1.Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2.Beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add the egg and the vanilla and beat until well combined. Stir in the mashed banana, set aside.
3.Stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a separate large bowl, and make a well in the center. Pour the banana mixture into the well and stir just until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts.
4.Remove half of the batter from the bowl. Mix the cocoa powder into the batter remaining in the bowl and stir well. Spread the cocoa batter in the bottom of the prepared pan. Spoon the remaining batter on top and use a knife to swirl the batter into a marbled design.
5.Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are golden, about 25 minutes. Allow to cool before cutting into 24 pieces.

Enjoy!

Cocoa Banana Bars

Banana Nut Bread

i'm always on the look out for new banana nut bread recipes. tried this one and loved it! secret ingredient: cornflakes cereal! i blogged this recipe at Bright Copper Kettles this morning.  Check out the site and grab this banana nut bread recipe, you're sure to love it!

Banana Nut Bread

Oatmeal Banana Nut Bread

This is one of the best banana nut breads I have ever made.  I sometimes double the recipe and make a pan of muffins as well, which is an easy breakfast to send with the hubby to work or with the kids to school!

What you need to make these:
1/2 cup of shortening or butter (I will use butter flavored shortening if I have this on hand)
3/4 cup white sugar (brown sugar can be substituted)
2 eggs
1 cup mashed bananas (i use about 3 bananas)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
*Rasins, cinnamon, nutmeg to taste are optional

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2.  In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy.  Stir in the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition, then stir in the banana and vanilla.
3.  In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and salt.  Beat into creamed mixture.  Stir in oats and nuts.  At this point I also choose to stir in about 1/2 cup of raisins and some cinnamon and/or nutmeg to taste.  Pour into prepared pan.  (If desired, mix together some additional dry oats and brown sugar and spread on top of the loaf before baking). 
4.  Bake in preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.

**If baking muffins instead of the loaf, follow the same directions as above and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

This is a delicious and easy bread to make and I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Happy Holidays!

Oatmeal Banana Nut Bread

Banana Nut Bread - lightened up!

the yummy stuff:
1 pkg (8oz) reduced-fat cream cheese
1/2 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1-1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup chopped pecans, divided

making it!
~ in a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and sugar until well blended.  Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Beat in bananas and vanilla.  Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture just until moistened.  Fold in 1/2 cup pecans.

~ transfer to two 8 in. x 4 in. loaf pans coated with cooking spray.  Sprinkle with remaining pecans.  Bake at 350 for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

This bread has such a great flavor and this recipe allows you to enjoy an all time favorite comfort food with far less guilt by trimming the fat and calories. 

Enjoy!

Banana Nut Bread - lightened up!