Most of us love baked goods.  There are few things more inviting than walking into a home and smelling freshly baked goods right out of the oven.  In the age of slice-and-bake, isn’t it a refreshing change to prepare your own baked goods from scratch once in a while?  Not only are homemade baked goods delicious but they are also free of the chemicals and unrecognizable ingredients found in most commercially prepared baked goods.  An added bonus is that baking can provide a great bonding experience with children and pets.  Plus, you get to eat the finished product (no chocolate for pets please)!  What could be better?!  Today I am going to share a recipe for Banana Bread which I have been making for years out of an old Cuisinart manual from the 1970’s.  It is DELICIOUS!  Enjoy!

What you will need to get started:

• 2/3 c sugar
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 6 T butter (3/4 stick) at room temperature
• 1-1/4 c mashed ripe banana (approximately 2.5 bananas).  TIP: overripe bananas are best for gaining a rich banana flavor…the riper, the better)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 c walnut meats
• 1-1/3 c all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Place oven rack in the center.
2. Butter and flour a loaf pan.
3. Using a food processor (i.e.- Cuisinart or VitaMix) add sugar, lemon juice and butter.  Mix well.
4. Add banana.  Mix well.
5. Add eggs.  Mix until smooth.
6. In a separate bowl stir together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.  Add to work bowl.  Mix until flour disappears.
7. Add walnut meats.  Pulse on and off gently.
8. Pour batter into greased loaf pan.
9. Bake for approximately 1h 15m.  Be sure to check center of bread with a toothpick; if the toothpick comes out clean, then your bread is ready.
10. Cool completely and ENJOY!!!