Lovin' Black Bananas

I have enjoyed baking for several years now. But only within the last few years, have I become aware of my love of baking with bananas. You know that yellow thing that is said to be a favorite of monkeys??? Well, that's the fruit, but I like 'em nice and brown...black, actually. I don't eat them right out of the peel when they're black, but I do love to add them to whatever batter I'm stirring up. For those of you who don't know, the darker the banana peel, the more banana flavor you'll have in your baked goods. *Side note* If you put a banana in the freezer (peel on) you will achieve the blackest, yet mold-free, yummiest, banana flavor ever!

Anywho, today I wanted to post two of my favorite things to make, using my beloved blackened bananas :) First off, my own creation, Banana Muffins with Chocolate Peanut Butter Chips. I have just recently concocted this recipe, and actually just made them for the first time today. So beware, they are not FDA approved :) The recipe is as follows :

Banana Muffins with Chocolate Peanut Butter Chips

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup applesauce (I used apple sauce flavored with cinnamon)
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 to 2 cups mashed ripe bananas
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate peanut butter chips

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugars, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, combine the egg, oil, applesauce, milk and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in bananas and chocolate peanut butter chips. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups three quarters full. Bake at 350 degrees F for 22-25 minutes or until they spring back to the touch. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

Voila! I will warn you that they are very rich, but have a decadent, comforting depth to them. They go great with a cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk. You will definitely need something to wash them down with. Absolute yumminess :) Hope you like them!


One of my other favorite things to bake, using black bananas is a good, moist loaf of banana bread. Deee-lish! I have made several different versions of banana bread, but this one is always my go-to recipe. I can't take any credit for this one. It's found on allrecipes.com. Follow the directions, as listed :

Banana Bread V

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup white sugar (I use 1/2 cup white and 1/2 cup brown)
1 egg
5 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1 cup mashed bananas (I use at least 2 cups)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

*Note* I also add approximately 2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp ground cloves, and 1 tsp nutmeg into the flour mixture.

Directions:

1. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt (and spices, if using).

2. In a large bowl, cream sugar and butter. Beat the egg slightly, and mix into the creamed mixture with the bananas. Mix in sifted ingredients, just until combined. Stir in milk and nuts. Spread batter into one greased and floured 9x5 inch loaf pan.

3. Bake at 350 degrees until top is brown and cracks along the top. (about 1 hour)

Well, there you have it! Moist, flavorful banana bread that, in my opinion, is the perfect consistency.

I love baking, especially in the Fall season. For me, it's a way to show love to my family. I know that the time and effort I put into my baking is appreciated when I hear the "mmm's" around the table. Baking goodies is just one small way I can show my appreciation and gratitude for them :)

Fall Festivities!

This was a fun weekend for the Jackson clan. I wasn't sure we would even have much of a weekend at all, because I have been sick and I thought one of the girls was on the verge of getting the flu, as well. Fortunately, everyone is relatively healthy as of right now. Sooo, because of that, we made good use of this gorgeous, sunny weekend. It looks like we've got lots of rain headed our way within the next week, so I'm soaking in as much vitamin D as I can :)

Below are a few pictures of our weekend together. We visited a new pumpkin patch (much closer to our house than last year's pumpkin patch) and it was a huge success! Hay mazes, animals, pumpkins galore, big slides, duck races, pumpkin bowling, a corn maze, and a hay ride that took us to a hilltop with an amazing view. We also saw a pumpkin get launched out of a cannon. Incredible! Lots of fun :)

Saturday, we made our way out to the Hoyt Arboretum and enjoyed an hour long walk along the beautiful wooded trails. We really enjoyed the lookout point where we could see Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Ranier, the base of Mt. Adams, and Mt. Hood. A-MAZ-ING!!! Well, we didn't really officially see Mt. Hood, because the trees were in the way, but we see Mt. Hood all the time, so that wasn't quite as big of a deal ;)

There are a few pictures below of Gracie and Emily together. I took them before they headed off to school. It was picture day and I thought I'd have them practice their "picture taking skills" before they left :) Sometimes those two just melt my heart!

I hope to make a pumpkin pie from scratch this week, since, as I said in the previous post, that is one of my favorite fall traditions! I'll have to let you know if it turns out... Also, next weekend we'll be carving the Jackson family pumpkin and roasting up some delicious seeds. Pictures will follow, I'm sure.

Happy Autumn!!!

Autumn Wishes

It's been a long time, a very long time, since I have been an active member in the blogging community. I have decided it's about time for me to re-engage. My time of absence is over! There is no possible way to sum up what's been happening since July (I can't believe it's been that long!), so I will pick up where we are in the present.

It is the Fall season. I love Autumn. Love it. It has always been my favorite time of year. I assume it has something to do with Thanksgiving and the fact that I love to cook and love to eat what has been cooked. Pure and simple...I like food. Okay, that's another post :) As I think about this very special season, there are things that I look forward to experiencing within the next 2 months; the sights, smells, and tastes that are unique to this time of year. This is my wish list and things I look forward to during this Fall season:

• Making delicious fall treats (pumpkin pie, pumpkin muffins, hot spiced cider, chili)
• The cool, crisp air
• The smell of burning leaves (my second most favorite smell EVER)
• Visiting the pumpkin farm with my family (and sampling the hot cider and donuts!)
• Watching the girls pick out their pumpkins
• Taking a walk with the family through the woods and seeing the vibrant, awesome colors
• Celebrating Hannah's 8th birthday
• The annual Harvest Party at our church
• Thanksgiving
• Wearing a cozy sweater and jeans
• The anticipation of Christmas
• Cuddling in front of the fireplace on a cool night

I'm hoping this Autumn doesn't pass as quickly as they usually do. It seems like I blink and it's over. I want to take in every last drop before it's gone! Ultimately this time of year is a reminder that once again points to my Creator. Every time I see Mt. Hood (which is covered in snow again!) I see God's awesomeness. Every time I see the bright orange and red leaves, I am reminded of God's creativity. My heart rejoices in thanksgiving as I spend time with my family, whether picking out the family pumpkin, or walking through the woods together, the leaves crunching under our feet. And as gorgeous as I think my surroundings are now, I cannot even fully imagine what it will be like in heaven someday; beautiful and perfect in every way. Absolute paradise...beyond my imagination! But I certainly see glimpses of His handiwork now, and for that I am thankful.

Speaking of Fall favorites, I have Chicken 'n Dumplings in the slow cooker right now, and the clock is telling me that it's ready! I hope to be back soon, hopefully with pictures of our trip to the pumpkin farm. Enjoy this gorgeous season and all it has to offer!