Banana Bread

This has become my favorite thing to make and eat even though I am trying to be good! It is so moist and yummy, you will curse me and Martha!



Ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature, plus more for pan
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups unbleached flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup mashed very ripe bananas
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla



Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan; set aside. In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, and beat to incorporate.

2.In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to the butter mixture, and mix until just combined. Add bananas, sour cream, and vanilla; mix to combine. Stir in nuts, and pour into prepared pan.

3.Bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Let rest in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool.

Makes 1 loaf.


Note:  If you want to add chocolate chips, butter and flour the pan.  Fill it 1/2 the way then sprinkle chips.  Then finish to 2/3 full in the pan.  Otherwise they will fall to the bottom and stick.  Not pretty. 

If using small loaf pans baking time is around 45 minutes.

Elvis Cupcakes

Although I am not cooking right now, I am eating very well! Marie made the most amazing cupcakes for me Saturday. I would post a picture to go with the recipe, however, there are none left to take a picture of... 

Banana Cupcakes

Ingredients:
1 1/2 C sugar
1 stick butter, softened
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 C flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 C buttermilk
1 1/4 C banana, mashed

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Cream butter and sugar with mixer until light and fluffy.  Add eggs and vanilla, mix until smooth.  

Combine all dry ingredients - mix into batter in 3 parts alternating with buttermilk.  Gently fold mashed bananas into batter.  

Scoop into cup cake cups fill 2/3 full.  

Bake 25 minutes and let cool completely.

Peanut Butter Cream Frosting....mmmmm

Combine 2 cups powdered sugar 1 stick butter adn 1 tsp vanilla.  Add one cup peanut butter and 3 Tbsp milk.  Mix until spreadable. 

Makes 18 cupcakes.

When I made the recipe I doubled it and ran out of butter milk so I used half butter milk and half sour cream...still turned out yummy.

Banana Bars with Banana Frosting

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup mashed ripe bananas

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the sour cream and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the batter. Finally, mix in the mashed banana. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow bars to cool completely before frosting.

Frosting:

2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 ripe banana
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon lemon juice

In a medium bowl, mix together the melted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, confectioners' sugar, 1/2 banana, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice using an electric mixer. Beat until smooth. Spread over cooled bars and then cut into squares.