JACKED-UP BANANA BREAD

Finally the weather is warming up it is so nice to see the sun again! I actually was out running errands without a jacket yesterday...it was only 40 degrees but it felt like 60 when it has been below 0 for so many days.

I came back to the house filled with fresh air in my lungs and a desire to bake. I was thinking cookies but then I saw three inconspicuous brown-speckled bananas just begging to be used.

I can remember when I was a kid, I would come home to the most wonderful smell filling up the house but I would always be slightly disappointed when I realized my mom had baked banana bread...I would be hoping for chocolate cake, of course! Times have changed, I still love chocolate cake but a piece of banana bread is something I could eat every day! This recipe is so delicious with a hint of Bourbon and warm spices in every bite. And as a bonus your entire home will smell AMAZING all day!

Jacked-up Banana Bread
Adapted from Simply recipes via Smitten Kitchen
one 4x8 inch loaf

3 to 4 ripe bananas, smashed
1/3 cup melted salted butter
3/4 to 1 cup light brown sugar (depending on the level of sweetness you prefer)
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon bourbon (optional)
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Pinch of ground cloves
1 1/2 cup of flour

Preheat the oven to 350°F. With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar, egg, vanilla and bourbon, then the spices. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour last, mix. Pour mixture into a buttered 4×8 inch loaf pan.

Bake for 50 minutes to one hour, or until a tester comes out clean. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.


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