Barb's Banana Bread

This Banana Bread is SO EASY, that you won't need to get out your mixer.  We always have ripe bananas around the house, so this is pretty much a bread that I make quite a lot.  And if your bananas are ripening and you don't have time to make the bread, just throw the bananas in the freezer until your ready to make the bread, pull them out about 5 minutes ahead of time and they'll be ready to go...

Here's what you'll need:

3 or 4 ripe bananas (the riper the better)
1/3 cup applesauce (* see note below)
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teas. vanilla
1 teas. baking soda
pinch salt
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup chocolate chips

NOTE:  I make my own applesauce, (just core the apple and cut into 8 slices and boil in a small amount of water until tender, then process in the food processor).  You can use store bought applesauce, or if you want the extra fat even use 1/3 cup of melted butter.  We find that we like the taste of the applesauce MUCH better and don't miss the fat at all!!

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  This bread will come together quickly, so you need your oven ready to go.  Spray a bread loaf pan, (or butter it).  I use an 8 X 4 inch size for this banana bread.

Mash the bananas.  Boy do these smell wonderful.

 In a large bowl combine the mashed bananas and applesauce.

 Mix well with a spoon.   NO NEED FOR A MIXER.  You'll just use your wooden spoon for this bread mix.

Add in sugar, egg, and vanilla.

 Mix well with spoon.

 Add in flour and chocolate chips.  Mix well.

If you want to add a few nuts at this point you can.  My husband doesn't really like nuts in his banana bread so I leave them out, but walnuts or pecans would be good.

 Pour into bread pan

Bake 350 degrees for 1 hour until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

Cool on rack.  Remove from pan, slice and enjoy.

This is delicious.  Your family won't miss the fat and extra sugar that other banana breads have - we've replaced them with God's natural sugar from the applesauce.   I have made this in small gift size loafs for family, neighbors, and friends.  They all love it and are surprised that I use applesauce.  When I tell them they all ask for the recipe.

Now go make something healthy and delicious for your family.  Let me know what you think.