Banana Bread

366.  What to do with over-ripe, blackened, bananas?  This is an every day problem most of us deal with.  You hate to throw them away so you pop them in the freezer only to have them moved around for 6 months.  And they just land in the trash anyway.  So just make a quick batch of Banana Bread or muffins.
  Although most Banana Bread recipes are basic and produce a nice banana loaf, they seem to be too sweet.  So here is a recipe that is low in sugar and you can adjust it to your liking.  And it is great for diabetic diets and if you are watching your sugar intake.  If you'd like, you could always add a bit of sugar to the recipe, up to 3/4 cup for added sweetness.  But I would suggest serving jam or honey is the best solution.  You can also substitute the coconut oil for butter and use all white flour, 2 cups to be exact and eliminate the almond meal, bran and whole wheat flour.  But to taste the original recipe is worth it.  I know in certain parts of the country it is hard to find almond meal or bran.  So use what you have and substitute.  This is a very versatile recipe.

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 This is a beautiful Banana Bread loaf.  It is light on the inside and has a crisp outer crust.  Keeps well for 3 days at room temp.  But it won't last that long.

"When life gives you rotten bananas, make banana bread!"  ~Charles Hobbs

"The smell of good bread baking, like the sound of lightly flowing water, is indescribable in its evocation of innocence and delight."  ~M.F.K. Fisher

Sofi's Crepes

303.  If you love crepes you must try a Sofi Crepe from Annapolis, MD.  Located on Craig Street by the United States Naval Academy, Sofi is a walk-up storefront selling made-to-order crepes both savory and sweet.  

You place your order then watch the crepe artist make your crepe right before your eyes.

The smell is intoxicating and you can't help but get excited.

The crepe comes wrapped in a foil wrapper and is hot and steamy.  

You can find the website here:  Sofi's Crepes

And the menu:  Sofi's Crepe Menu

Tables and chairs are located along the sidewalk just a stones throw away from the Naval Academy.

The town is a quaint nautical port with archaic buildings and history down every street.

We parked our car and walked around.

 It is a great day trip and there are delicious restaurants and great shopping down each street.

Sofi's actually has 6 locations around Maryland.  See the locations here:

Sofi's Crepes locations

"...sprinkled with sugar and eaten hot, they form an exquisite dish.  they have a golden hue and are tempting to eat.  Thin and transparent like muslin, their edges are trimmed to resemble fine lace.  They are so light that after a good dinner, a man from Agen is still willing to sample three to four dozen of them!  Crêpes form an integral part of every family celebrations."

~Anatole France

Banana Cupcakes with Honey-Cinnamon Frosting

297.  This is a lovely recipe using ripe bananas.  Those unpleasant guests that show up on your kitchen counter, seemingly, unannounced.  The delight is in the frosting which has hints of honey and cinnamon spice.  You will be surprised and satisfied!  Compliments of Martha Stewart's recipes.  

Recipe here:  Banana Cupcakes with Honey-Cinnamon Frosting

Cupcakes

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (about 4 ripe bananas), plus 1 whole banana, for garnish (optional)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Honey-Cinnamon Frosting
• 
  
• STEP 1
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• Line cupcake pan with paper liners or silicone cups.
• 
  
• STEP 2
• Make a well in center of flour mixture. In well, mix together butter, mashed bananas, eggs, and vanilla. Stir to incorporate flour mixture (do not overmix causing cake to be tough). Dividing evenly, spoon batter into muffin cups.

1. STEP 3

   Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of a cupcake comes out clean, 25 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan; cool completely on a wire rack.  

Frosting

1 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat confectioners' sugar, unsalted butter, honey, and ground cinnamon until smooth, 4 to 5 minutes. 

1. Spread tops with
   Honey-Cinnamon Frosting.  Drizzle honey across top of frosting.
2. OPTIONAL:  Just before serving, peel and slice banana into rounds, and place one on each cupcake, if desired.
3. 

"My biggest thing is banana pudding, but it's the devil!  So no one is allowed to bring it into my house.  Because, I can't control myself.  So why put it in my domain?"
~ Jennifer Hudson

Caramel Frosted Banana Drops

292.  A soft decadent cookie which is more like candy than cookie.  This recipe is memorable.

Caramel Frosted Banana Drops

• 1  cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1  cup butter, softened
• 1/2  cup (1 large) mashed banana
• 2  teaspoons vanilla
• 2 1/3  cups All Purpose or Unbleached Flour
• 1/4  teaspoon salt
• 3/4  cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• Frosting
• 3/4  cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/4  cup butter, softened
• 1 1/4  cups powdered sugar
• 1/2  teaspoon vanilla
• 1  to 3 tablespoons milk

 Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, beat 1 cup brown sugar and 1 cup butter until light and fluffy. Add banana and 2 teaspoons vanilla; blend well. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. Stir in flour and salt; mix well. Stir in walnuts. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.

 Bake at 350°F. for 9 to 14 minutes or until light golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheets. Cool completely

 In small saucepan, combine 3/4 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup butter. Cook over medium heat until sugar is dissolved, stirring constantly. 

Cool slightly. Stir in powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and enough milk for desired spreading consistency.

 Frost cooled cookies and then indulge!

"Intellectual property has the shelf life of a banana."
~ Bill Gates