Blackout Banana Bread

Spray 9 x 5″ pan with Pam. Dust with Cocoa Powder. Set oven to 350 degrees.

Mix in a large bowl……

1/2 C – Cocoa Powder (plus what you need for pan dusting.)

1 C. – All-purpose flour

1 tsp. – Baking Soda

1/4 tsp.- Kosher salt

In another large bowl, combine Sugar, melted butter, egg and egg yolk., buttermilk or sour cream and vanilla. Mix until smooth.

Pour over dry mixture and stir until combined.

3/4 C- Sugar

1/2 C – Melted butter

1 Large egg and 1 egg yolk

1/4 C – Buttermilk or Sour Cream

2 tsp. – Vanilla Extract

Fold in mashed bananas and chocolate chips.

3 Super-ripe Bananas (mashed).

1 C – Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

Transfer batter to prepared pan (s) and bake until toothpick comes out clean. Approximately 1 hour depending on what size pan you use. I use 3 x 5″ pans and freeze the extras. Those I cook for 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool at least 10 minutes before trying to slice.

These make excellent gifts for your trashman, mailman/woman or any service people you have visiting your house. They will remember you next time they need to come to you with service.

Amish White Bread

As the quarantine and stay at home orders continue, you may find yourself trying to make the bread in your pantry last. If you have a chance to go to the grocery store, and can find bread flour, try to pick up the ingredients you will need to make this bread. It is a simple, easy recipe that makes two 9″ x 5″ loaves of bread. You will need yeast also. It is better and cheaper to buy yeast in a small jar compared to the individual envelopes. Be sure to write the date of opening on the jar as yeast will lose some of the potency as it gets older.

2 cups warm water (110 degrees F)

2/3 cup white sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1/4 cup vegetable oil

6 cups bread flour

In a large bowl, dissolve water and sugar. Add yeast and stir lightly. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam.

Add salt and oil into yeast mixture. Mix in flour one cup at a time. When mixed, drop ball of dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Place dough into a well-oiled bowl and turn over to be sure all dough is coated. Place a damp towel over bowl and place out of any drafts to allow to rise. This should take about an hour.

When dough has doubled in size (or more), take your quarantine frustrations out on the dough by punching it down. Remove from bowl and knead for a few minutes. Divide dough into two even pieces. Shape into loaves and place each into a well-oiled 9 x 5″ loaf pan. Cover again with damp towel and let rise for 30 minutes until the dough has risen about an inch over the edge of the pan.

Bake for 30 minutes in a pre-heated 350 degree oven. When the bread is golden brown and sounds a little hollow when tapped on, remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before you slice it.

Best Ever Banana Bread

I have tried several recipes for Banana Bread, but this one is the moistest. I have changed the recipe to add a few spices. You can leave out the cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, but it really adds a lot of flavor. I also add about 1/4 cup of molasses. These make really tasty gifts. I bake them in 3 x 5 aluminum baking pans for cute packages.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease whatever baking pans you will be using.

Mis the following:

2 large eggs @ room temperature

2 – 3 medium bananas mashed (about 1 cup)

1/2 cup canola oil

1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon buttermilk

1/4 cup molasses

1 teaspoon vanilla

While this is mixing together, Mix your dry ingredients:

1 3/4 cup all-purpose flor

1 1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon cloves

Whisk them together to remove any lumps.

Add to wet ingredients and mix well.

Add 1 cup finely chopped walnuts (plus some to sprinkle on top before baking)

Pour into baking tins and sprinkle nuts on top. If you are using small pans, place them on a baking sheet and slide into middle of oven.

Bake for 1 hour for small pans and 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours for larger loaf pan. Test with a toothpick to be sure that center is cooked. Remove from oven and let cool for about 10 minutes. Remove from pans and place on wire rack to cool.

When cool, you may slice and wrap for gifts, or leave them whole. Wrap in plastic and then in aluminum foil to retain moisture.

I also use real vanilla in my baking instead of imitation. I have a sister who likes to cruise, so she buys me vanilla when she is in Mexico. It makes a real difference in the taste.