Old man winter certainly came in strong this year. Snowstorms, arctic temperatures, gray days. Some days, I just feel like hibernating under a warm blanket with a good book. 

I know it’s the season, and even if the unrelenting gray days can be tough, this is how the weather should be in January: cold.

I’ll admit there is something so peaceful and pretty about snow blanketing the yards. It was fun to start the year with a good six inches of snow.

I’m not sure if we’ll have more snow days in our future – I sure hope we do! – but even if we don’t get more snow, we spend a lot more time indoors during the wintertime.

This is a great time to warm up the kitchen by heating up the oven and baking some yummy treats. It’s a fun way to pass the time and in the end, you’re left with something good to eat.

One of my favorites, yet easy, recipes is banana bread. I love whipping up a batch because I usually have all the ingredients I need, and I can alter the recipe just a bit to match my mood.

Feeling like something sweeter? Add a few handfuls of chocolate chips.

Want some texture? Toss in some chopped nuts.

This is also a great recipe the kids can help make. They can peel the bananas, measure and mix the dry ingredients, and lick the spoons!

I also love the excitement when the finished product comes out of the oven. We wait for it to cool a bit but still like to cut into the banana bread when it’s warm. A warm slice is especially yummy when the kids are just coming in, red-cheeked and smiling, from playing outside.

Here’s my favorite simple, yummy recipe  (Simply Recipes Banana Bread) if you’d like to give it a try: 

Ingredients:

  • 2 to 3 medium  overripe bananas, peeled 
  • 1/3 cup butter, unsalted or salted, melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (not baking powder)
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 3/4 cup sugar (1/2 cup if you would like it less sweet, 1 cup if more sweet)
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Steps:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F 
  2. Butter an 8×4-inch loaf pan.
  3. In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until completely smooth. Stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas.
  4. Mix in the baking soda and salt. Stir in the sugar, beaten egg and vanilla extract. Mix in the flour. 
  5. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. 
  6. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes at 350, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 
  7. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for a few minutes. Then remove the banana bread from the pan and let cool completely before serving. 
  8. Slice and enjoy!

Not only does this taste yummy, but it’ll make the house smell good, too. 

If you love the idea of warm banana bread but don’t want to bother with making it, stop by and see us for a fresh loaf you can take home! All the taste without the work. We hope to see you soon, but in the meantime – stay warm!