Problem: Overripe Bananas. Solution: Banana Nut Bread

I have to start by telling you that "Mommy Brain" is a real thing. I have lost the ability to remember things that used to come naturally to me.

For example: the few times we've gone to the grocery store since Billy's arrival, I've bought things and either forgotten to eat them or bought an excessive amount. We had a full gallon of milk at home... yet I bought one anyway. We can't drink two gallons of milk before they go bad! What was I thinking?!

Bananas were another problem purchase. At the end of the pregnancy I was eating one or two bananas a day and when Billy was born I continued to eat one or two per day, but kept them on the counter closest to the fridge. This time, I bought a bunch of bananas and plopped them in the wire basket near the patio door.

Because they were not in the traditional location for bananas...I completely forgot we had them, so nearly the full bunch went bad. Shoot. 

Luckily, I caught them just before they spoiled! Queue need for a great banana nut bread recipe!

I found this recipe using my faithful All Recipes iOS app and adjusted it a hair based on what I had on hand.

Banana Nut Bread (Original Recipe Here)

• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 2 medium bananas, sliced

Once I took the photo below I realized I needed baking SODA not powder, so just pretend that this photo is as cute and artsy as I imagined it could be...and accurate.

I started by mixing dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking soda).

 Then in another bowl mix the melted butter & sugar.

Once butter and sugar are combined, add eggs and vanilla. 

Then combine dry with wet, stirring in dry ingredients while mixer is on low (trying to prevent a mess as much as possible...) 

Once the wet/dry mixing is complete, fold in nuts (I chose pecans because that's what I had on hand), bananas and yogurt. Original recipe calls for walnuts and sour cream, but using these alternatives I still came out with an excellent bread! 

Pour batter into 9x5 loaf pan that has been well greased with butter or cooking spray.

The end result is a tasty and deliciously moist bread! I ate a slice with leftover chocolate from my other banana project....

 YUM!

What's the other banana project, you ask?! Chocolate dipped frozen banana bites, of course!! However, at this point I was getting tired and lost my drive for perfection....so things got very sloppy, very quickly....

I started with 3 ripe bananas, chocolate chips and some sprinkles.

Then things got out of control messy....Have you seen that "I Love Lucy" where Lucy works at the candy factory and eats as many chocolates as she puts in boxes? That was me while I dipped pieces of banana into melted chocolate chips. I was trying to stay ahead of the chocolate buildup on my fingers and basically ended up consuming an entire bowl of melted chocolate. I'm breastfeeding, so I get extra calories....don't judge me.

 As Hubs said when we ate them for dessert, "This isn't your finest chocolate dipping job." and I have to agree...but they still taste just as yummy!!!

Are you thinking, "But Jess, I thought you were the mother of a tiny little 4 week old baby...however do you find the time to bake?"? Well, this week Billy discovered that his swing is the cats meow....and I am seriously grateful. Hello, hours of peace and tranquility. Nice to have you back. I am smart enough to know it won't last forever, and grateful enough to take it as it comes. I love you, Graco swing.

Out. Like. A. Light. Such a beautiful thing. 

Now that I'm back to cooking and baking, my next goal is to craft something! Stay tuned. I have absolutely no idea what it will be, but it will be great. I hope. Even if it's not, I tried.