Apple Butter Banana Bread

If you're like me, bread is not my forte in the kitchen.

If you aren't like me…well kudos for being awesome.

But really. Knead-and-beat-and-rise-and-whatever bread never really turns out for me.

That's where banana bread comes in to save the day. (Or at least my day!)

Just mix it all together and pop it in the oven! Perfect.

So here's my favorite go-to banana bread recipe, slightly adapted from Better Homes & Gardens.

Apple Butter Banana Bread

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 slightly beaten eggs

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup mashed ripe banana (2 small)

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup applesauce

1/4 cup canola or cooking oil

Directions:

1. Grease and flour the bottom and sides of a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan; set aside. In large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg.

3. In medium bowl combine eggs, sugar, banana, butter, applesauce, and oil. Add egg mixture all at once to flour mixture. Stir until just moistened (batter should be lumpy). Spoon into prepared pan.

3. Bake in a 350 degree oven about 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center of the bread comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack.

Makes 1 loaf.

*Time-Saving Tip: I like to double the recipe and freeze one loaf for later! Just let the second loaf completely cool, wrap in plastic wrap, followed by a layer or two of foil…you just need to keep the air out. Place it in the fridge or on the counter to thaw when you're ready for more banana bread goodness!