Perfect Banana Bread

I've used this recipe at least 5 times already this semester and it's fantastic. 

4 ripe bananas, smashed
1/3 C melted butter 
     (vegetable oil)
3/4 C granulated sugar
1 egg, beaten 
     (1/4 C Egg beaters)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 C all purpose flour
1/2 C chocolate chips 
      (highly recommended but          optional)



Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C).

Mix butter in with bananas. Add sugar, egg and vanilla - mix.

Sprinkle baking soda and salt over mixture, mix thoroughly. 

Add flour, mix. Add chocolate chips last, if desired.

Pour batter into greased 4x8 inch loaf pan. 

Bake 1 hour. Cool on rack.

Due to the unusually high number of bananas in this recipe, the center of the loaf may remain a little gooey. It is advised to not cook the bread longer, as this may cause it to burn. Instead, enjoy the gooeyness. 




Merry Christmas, one and all!

Christmas Cookies

• This recipe is modified from one available on the Hersey Kiss website, their Triple Chocolate Cookies - I didn't feel like going into a chocolate coma, so I changed it to a sugar cookie recipe. I also really hate cleaning up after cooking/baking, so I like to use as few dishes as possible. That's why I use oil instead of butter (easier to mix) and don't bother sifting dry ingredients together in a separate bowl. These turned out just fine.
• 
  
• 1/2 C vegetable oil
  3/4 C granulated sugar
  3/4 C packed light brown sugar
  2 tsp vanilla extract
  2 eggs (1/2 C Eggbeaters)
  1 Tbsp milk
  2 1/2 C all-purpose flour
  1 tsp baking soda
  1/2 tsp salt
  Around 45 Hersey Kisses
  
  
  Remove wrappers from chocolate pieces. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  
  
  Mix oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in large bowl until well blended. Add eggs and milk; mix well.
  
  
  Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to sugar mixture, mix until well blended.
  
  
  Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
  
  
  Bake 10 to 11 minutes or until set. Gently press Kiss (no, not with your face, that would hurt) in center of each cookie; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. 
• 
  
• Makes about 45 cookies.