Healthier Cinnamon Chip Banana Bread

I know I written about this one before. But I couldn't pass up the chance to revisit it, especially since I tried an idea that I've had in the back of my head for a while. I was worried it would be like committing a crime against my favorite recipe, but miracle of miracles, it worked!

Here's the original for your reference.

It's funny how I wrote that you could mess with this recipe and it will still turn out. I had forgotten about that. But it still holds true.

Here's what I did: subbed out half the white flour for whole wheat (1 cup). Got rid of all the oil, and used applesauce (1/2 cup). Then I didn't bother with chocolate chips (we didn't have any). The baking time was a little shorter, but that may have been thanks to my parents' amazing new oven. Just keep an eye on it.

So how'd it taste? Pretty darn amazing if I do say so myself. (My mom and sister agreed.) It wasn't exactly the same, and it definitely tastes a little healthy, but to me that's a good thing. I really liked it, and I'll definitely do it this way again. Not every time, but whenever I'm feeling the need to be a little bit good while I'm being bad :)

Crappy iPhone alert...

Cinnamon Chip Banana Bread

I promised recipes. So here’s one of my best. Might as well start off strong, right? I love coming home and seeing I accidentally let the bananas go a day past where I would eat them straight. They’re the one fruit I will never, ever throw out. I’d much rather make a special trip to the store for the cinnamon chips than pass up a chance to make this.

This is one of those recipes that really can’t be messed up. Only have three bananas? It’ll be fine. I usually don’t even bother mashing them. Want to double the vanilla, omit the cinnamon chips, add nuts or use part whole-wheat flour? It’ll come out perfect every time. I’ve dumped the whole recipe into one really large loaf pan and made mini loaves. All you have to do is adjust the cooking time a little bit. But the best part? The way your whole house will smell all warm and cinnamonny (is that even a word? It’s the only way I can describe it). Anyway, it’s sublime. Try it and let me know how it comes out. 

Recipe slightly adapted from Cathy Lowe and the Food Network.

Ingredients

• • 2 cups flour
• • 1 teaspoon baking soda
• • 1 teaspoon baking powder
• • 1 teaspoon salt
• • 2 eggs
• • 1 cup sugar
• • 4 very ripe bananas
• • 1 teaspoon vanilla
• • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• • 1 cup chocolate chips
• • 1 cup Hershey’s cinnamon chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl combine flour, baking soda and powder, salt. In a large bowl cream together eggs and sugar. Stir in mashed bananas, vanilla, oil and cinnamon. Stir in flour mixture, a third at a time, until just combined. Add chocolate and cinnamon chips and stir to combine. Divide batter into two 9x5 loaf pans. Bake for about 1 hour.