Variations on Banana Bread

Banana bread has become a staple in our house. But the bananas... they have become scarce.

So. I wanted to make banana bread the other day--to get rid of 2 very freckled bananas. But 2 bananas are hardly enough for a yummy, moist, and banana-y banana bread! I looked around me and my gaze landed on my month-old apples. The slightly mealy ones. Inspiration struck.

Applesauce Banana Bread

2 freckled bananas

1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup home-made applesauce
1/2 cup plain yogurt

2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla


Preheat oven to 325 F.

1. Mash the bananas. Add the applesauce. Add the yogurt. Mix.

2. Cream the sugar and the butter.

3. Add the eggs one at a time. Add the vanilla.

4. Pour in the banana mixture. Mix well!

5. Dump the all the dry stuff in. Stir only until completely mixed.

6. Pour into 9 by 13 inch pan.

7. Bake for 30 mins.

Applesauce!

I used two Gala apples, and one local apple from some Rhode Island farm.

You will need:
Apples
Cinnamon
Rum (optional)
Wooden Spoon

1. Wash and peel the apples.

2. Cut the apples into small pieces being careful to remove all the hard bits from the core.

3. Put them in the pot! Add water so that they are just half-submerged.

4. Put on the stove and turn the heat high. Stir.

5. Stir! Add cinnamon. Add a teaspoon of rum. Keep stirring. Mash the largish pieces of apple against the side of the pot.

6. When it is desired consistency, turn the stove off.

Simple!