There's no need to get fussy about dessert, simple is perfectly fine, as long as it's not boring. This update to "mom's recipe" is tender, fluffy, and yeah, a bit sexy too. A perfect choice for you and your Valentine (even if that Valentine is just you, later in the week).
Ingredients:
2-3 medium size ripe bananas
1/2 cup butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup turbinado sugar
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1/3 cup milk of choice
1/3 - 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp white wine vinegar
Splash of club soda, seltzer, or ginger beer (optional)
Equipment:
An oven
Mixing bowl
Hand mixer
Measuring cups/spoons
Bread pan (silicone recommended)
Pre-heat your oven to 350*F.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, 1/2 tbsp olive oil, and turbinado sugar with a hand mixer until fluffy. To the same mixing bowl, add in banana pieces and the remaining ingredients. Continue mixing on low-medium speed until mostly uniform, being careful not to overmix and remember that banana chunks are okay!
If the batter feels a bit thick or dry, add just a splash of ginger beer, club soda, or seltzer. You won't believe how much of a difference this makes.
Add mini chocolate chips or other mix-ins of choice (chopped walnuts are good too) and gently incorporate into the batter with a large spatula or mixing spoon.
Grease a silicone loaf pan with the remaining olive oil, making sure to get the corners and going up the sides of the pan. A paper towel or basting brush can be helpful here to spread out the oil.
Fill the loaf pan with your batter and gently tap the pan on your counter a few times to evenly distribute. Sprinkle a big pinch of Josu Just Salt or Josu Eight-Year Aged Salt on top.
Bake at 350*F for roughly 75 minutes. Optional: cover your loaf pan with foil for about 30 minutes in the middle of your bake to prevent the top from getting too dark.
Once baked, let cool fully before removing from loaf pan. Keep wrapped in foil to prevent drying out, and slice only before serving.
Leftovers Pro Tip: Microwave each slice for 10-15 seconds and top with a pinch of Josu Just Salt or Josu Aged Salt.