Banana Bread

This recipe is a GREAT one!! It contains VERY little fat (no butter - no oil!!) and you can leave it plain, but we like it with chocolate added.  The recipe makes 2 standard sized loaves or 4 smaller ones - if you want to make less, carefully cut the ingredients in half.

Grease 2 standard sized loaf pans (8X4) or 4 smaller ones.  Line with parchment for easy removal or if you trust your pans, spray them with nonstick spray. :)

Heat the oven to 325º.

In a mixing bowl combine:

1 cup applesauce (or baby food: bananas, applesauce..)
2-1/2 C. white sugar
2 cups of very ripe mashed bananas
4 eggs
1 cup lite sour cream
1 teasp. vanilla extract

Mix in:
3-1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
pinch of salt
1-1/2 cups mini semisweet chocolate chips
(and if you like nuts, add a cup of chopped nuts at this point)

Spoon equal amounts of batter into prepared pans.  Bake for 45-50 minutes if using SMALL pans - increase the time to 60+ minutes if you're using larger pans.  Test the center with a toothpick when the tops no longer look 'wet' - if it comes out clean, the banana bread is done.

Remove from oven and cool on wire racks for 10-15 minutes before removing from the pans to cool completely.