Brown Sugar Banana Bread

My daughter and daughter-in-law periodically ask me questions about cooking and/or baking, so this year I am going to post more tried and true recipes along with any helpful tips that I can think of. This way, not only will my girls have easy access to favorite family dishes, but I can also share them with the rest of the world.

When I was younger, Google wasn't around to help answer all of my cooking questions, so I had to call an expert...my mother. Now my kids are doing the same thing. Even though they have smart phones with answers right at their fingertips, they still come to me for direction. And, do you know what? I'm totally okay with that!

Here is an actual text conversation I had with my daughter (a newlywed) and is the source of my inspiration. I apologize to my facebook friends who have already seen it, but it's pretty comical and worth sharing.

Katelyn- "Hi. Do you know of any crockpot recipes using ground beef that don't take more than a few hours?"

Me- "No. Make Hamburger Helper or Sloppy Joes."

Katelyn- "There's a crockpot Sloppy Joe Casserole I was going to make, but it says the hash browns need to be thawed beforehand. Do you think it's a big deal if they aren't?"

Me- "Run them under warm water in a strainer for a second to thaw them and then drain them for a bit." 

Katelyn- "You're a damn genius, I tell ya!"

So, without further adieu, here is a terrific banana bread recipe straight from the kitchen of "a damn genius".   :)

Brown Sugar Banana Bread

1 3/4 c. flour

3/4 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

2 eggs

1/3 c. oil

2/3 c. brown sugar

1 c. mashed, ripe bananas (approximately 2)

1 tsp. vanilla

Beat eggs. Add oil, vanilla, brown sugar and mashed banana. Stir in baking soda, baking powder and salt, then gradually add flour.Mix well, but do not over beat.

Pour into a greased bread pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes, testing with a toothpick. 

Brown sugar is the key ingredient and reason this bread is so delectable. Brown sugar contains molasses and is generally sweeter. When given a choice between white and brown sugar, I always opt for brown. 

Blueberry Zucchini Bread with Lemon Glaze

It's that time of year again. My zucchini plants are producing squash like rabbits produce bunnies.

This morning, I searched the Internet hoping to find a recipe for zucchini bread made with brown sugar, but came across this recipe and decided to try it instead. After all, my husband loves lemon and I happened to pick up some blueberries at Costco just yesterday.

I adapted the recipe a bit. Here is my version:

Blueberry Zucchini Bread with Lemon Glaze

2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup shredded zucchini
2/3 cup milk
1/3 cup melted butter
2 tsp. lemon zest
1 egg
3/4 cup blueberries

Glaze:

1/2 cup powdered sugar
juice from 1/2 lemon
1 tsp milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 8x4 loaf pan with non-stick spray.

In a large bowl, mix all ingredients (except for blueberries).

Gently fold in blueberries and spoon into greased pan...

Bake approximately 55 minutes, testing with a toothpick. Allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes.

Remove and cool completely...

For glaze:

Whisk powdered sugar, milk and juice from 1/2 lemon, Drizzle over bread...

Would you like to try another terrific recipe using zucchini? Click on my Creamy Zucchini Casserole.  It is scrumptious!