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We just started our school year and the kids are getting used to the routine all over again.  They usually return home from school in slow motion, dragging their book bags behind them, red-faced from the heat.  Nothing a cool drink of water and a healthy snack won’t help!

Need ideas for a pick-me-up snack?  My kids loved helping me make this delicious banana bread recipe…and loved the outcome, as well!

Surprise Inside Banana Bread

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour or whole wheat flour
2/3 cup sugar (we prefer to use unrefined organic sugar from the bulk bin at the market) 
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 
1/4 teaspoon salt 
2 very ripe bananas
1 large egg  or 1/4 cup egg substitute
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted 
1/4 cup nonfat plain yogurt or light sour cream 
2 teaspoons vanilla extract 
1/4 cup low-fat milk or buttermilk
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips or m&m’s

1. Heat the oven to 350° F.
2. If you prefer to make a loaf of banana bread, lightly spray the pan with cooking spray.
   If you prefer to make muffins, line each well of a muffin pan with cupcake papers or lightly coat the muffin cups with cooking spray.
3. In a medium-size bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt and stir with a fork to blend.
4. In a mixing bowl, mash the bananas with a potato masher or a fork.
5. Combine the mashed bananas, egg, melted butter, sour cream, vanilla extract, and milk.
6. Stir vigorously or beat with a hand mixer on medium until the ingredients in this bowl are well blended.
7. Slowly add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined
8.  Pour the batter into your loaf pan, or fill each muffin tin approximately 1/3 with batter. 
9. Bake your bread until the top is golden brown and a toothpick comes out with some melted chocolate but no crumbs. For muffins, this will be about 1/2 as long as with a loaf.  For a loaf, check the bread after 35 minutes.

Call the Kids:

• Kids can peel and mash the bananas.  For mashing, potato mashers work well.  Or, for the very tactile child, try letting them mush the bananas with clean hands!
• Measure the dry ingredients and pour them into the bowl.  Remind them to dump the ingredients in slowly and close to the bowl so they don’t poof all over the kitchen.
• Crack the egg into a separate bowl, so it is easy to fish out any stray shells
• Stir the ingredients together
• Help to pour the batter.