Banana Bread

Well it's official, we have survived the first week back to school! I was a little worried how the start of this year would go. Zoe loves school but her best friend of the last two years has changed schools. That said we had an excellent first week. She loves her class, and her teacher. So phew!!

Along with the return to school comes the dreaded lunch packing. Ugh. I don't *hate* making lunches but I definitely don't love it. Zoe's not a super picky eater but when there's not a lot of time to eat, and she can be pretty slow, I need to find things that are healthy, tasty, and super quick and easy to eat. But I digress. That's a problem for another day!

This week our temperatures finally returned to normal so it was safe to turn the oven back on. I found 8 frozen bananas in my freezer so you know what that means! Banana Bread! The greatest banana bread ever. Seriously, so good! Normally when I make it I ignore the actual measurement and put in so many chocolate chips it comes out looking like chocolate bread but I restrained myself this week and only added a tiny handful. Two reasons 1) turns out that's all the chocolate chips I had (oops), and 2) I wanted to be able to send it to school without risking the "not a healthy option" letter (though I'm not even sure Zoe's school does that).

Anyways, go make this bread immediately! It's perfect for lunches or as an after-school snack.

Best Banana Bread (adapted from Glad Make-Ahead Meals)

2 C all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 C canola oil
1 C granulated sugar
2 large eggs, beaten
4 over-ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp whole milk
1/2 C semi-sweet chocolate chips, as many or as few as you'd like (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350F and spray a loaf pan with baking spray (or grease with butter and dust with flour).

Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk combine the oil and sugar. Add the eggs, bananas, vanilla, and milk. Whisk to combine. Add in the flour mixture and combine. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour into the prepared pan.

Bake at 350F for 1h 15mins (or until a tester comes out clean).

Enjoy!!

As usual I want to know what you've been baking! Be sure to tag your photos on Instagram with #ragebake !