Banana Bread

Real prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 50-60 minutes
Serves: 8-10
Side dish suggestions: A good breakfast!

Supplies:
Food Processor (or just mash bananas by hand)
Wooden Spoon
Small bowl to melt butter
Mixing Bowl
Loaf Pan
Cooling Rack
1 Teaspoon Measuring Spoon
1 Cup Measuring Cup
1/2 Cup Measuring Cup
1/4 Cup Measuring Cup

From the freezer:


From the pantry:
3/4 Cup Sugar
1 t. Vanilla
1 t. Baking Soda
1 1/2 Cup Flour
Pinch of Salt

Fresh Ingredients:
3-4 REALLY ripe Bananas
1/3 Cup Melted Butter
1 Egg Beaten

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Mash or process ripe bananas until mushy and mostly smooth. Pour into mixing bowl.
3. Using a wooden spoon, mix melted butter into bananas.
4. Mix in sugar, egg, and vanilla.
5. Sprinkle baking soda and salt over the top and mix.
6. Add flour last and mix.
7. Pour into buttered loaf pan.
8. Bake at 350 for 50-60 mins. until middle is set.
9. Cool on rack, remove from pan and cool completely.

Extra info...
Make sure to cook through. Even when set the middle will be barely done so don't under cook.

My husband has added chocolate chips which is really good too!

Nuts-n-Bolts

Real prep time: 8 minutes
Cook time: 2 hours
Serves: A party!
Side dish suggestions: none

Supplies:
Large Roasting Pan
Mixing Spoon
Tablespoon Measuring Spoon
1/2 Tablespoon Measuring Spoon
1 Cup Measuring Cup

From the freezer:


From the pantry:
2 lbs Mixed Salted Nuts
6 1/2 oz Corn Chex
10 1/2 oz Box Cheerios
6 1/2 oz Rice Chex
6 1/2 oz Wheat Chex
1 Package Pretzel Sticks
1 Cup Salad Oil
1 T. Worcestershire Sauce
1/2 T. Garlic Salt
1/2 T. Seasoned Salt

Preparation:
Mix all ingredients together in roasting pan. Bake at 250 for 2 hours, stirring every 15 minutes. Have fun!

Extra info...
Such a great party mix!

Homemade Granola Bars

Real prep time: 5-7 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes + Roughly 2 hours cooling and freezer time
Serves: 16 bars
Side dish suggestions: none

Supplies:
9x9 glass pan
Foil
Mixing Bowl
Mixing Spoon
Small Spatula
Large Knife
Cutting Board

From the freezer:


From the pantry:
2 Cups (plus some extra) Rolled Oats
1/2 Cup Wheat Germ
1/2 Cup (plus some extra) Mini Chocolate Chips
1/2 Cup (plus some extra) Dried Cranberries or Cherries
1 Can (14oz) Sweetened Condensed Milk

(1 Cup Sliced Almonds)

Preparation:
1. Adjust oven rack to lower middle position and preheat oven to 325.
2. Line 9x9 pan with foil (leaving extra on each end to lift out later).
3. Grease foil with cooking spray.
4. Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Turn into pan and pat down until firmly packed.
5. Bake until golden brown-about 30 mins.
6. Cool to room temp. and put pan in freezer until firm.
7. Use foil ends to remove from pan. Remove foil and use large knife to cut into 16 1x4 inch bars.
8. Can be stored in airtight container for up to 1 week or frozen.

Extra info...
Adapted from threemanycooks.com *They also have a gluten free version

Their version uses the sliced almonds and doesn't add the little bit of extra oats, chocolate chips, and dried fruit. I have a child who can't have nuts so I put a few extras in and omit the almonds and they are really great!