Recipe Wednesday - Deanna's Banana Raisin Bread

With all the people in my life that love to cook I think it would be fun to showcase them, and their recipes, once a month. This one comes from my step-sister Deanna, also known as my niece's Mom. She is a very creative cook who isn't afraid to try new things and have fun with what she makes.

This is one of those recipes that is never made the same way twice, yet is always super moist and delicious...you can add nuts, take out the raisins, not put the brown sugar on top...however you like it! After the recipe check out a quick interview with Deanna. Happy cooking!

Deanna's Banana Raisin Bread 

1 serving = 1 slice

* 2 cups flour

* 5-6 medium bananas (about 2 1/3 cups mashed)
* 1/2 cup butter
* 1 1/4 cup brown sugar
* 1 tsp vanilla extract
* 1 tsp ground cinnamon
* 1 tsp nutmeg
* 1 tsp allspice
* 2 eggs
* 1 cup raisins (optional)

1.  Pre-heat oven to 350degress. Mix flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and all spice in a large bowl.

 

2.  Cream butter and 3/4 cup brown sugar in a small bowl

 

3. Beat 2 eggs in a separate small dish

4. Peel and mash bananas in their own dish as well (it helps if you have the best banana masher ever help you)

 

5. Add the eggs, butter mixture, vanilla, bananas, and raisins to the dry ingredients and mix well.

6. Pour mixture into a lightly greased 9x5 bread pan and crumble remaining brown sugar on top.

 

7.  Place in oven and back for 60 - 65 minutes.

 

8. Slice into 12 pieces and serve. 

 ***For an added bonus, try toasting your piece before eating it...soooooo tasty!

Meet Deanna

1. Tell us about yourself:

 I am a single mom and a part time student. I love being a mom and all the hard stuff that comes with it. I love food. I love to cook and make yummy meals. 

2. Why do you like to cook?

I love to create. The best thing about cooking is you get to eat what you create. I love to experiment with recipes. It is so much fun. The more I cook the better I become at it.

3. Your favorite thing to cook:

I love to bake, but my favorite thing to make is meatloaf. Using my hands is the best part; getting it all in the perfect texture. I wouldn't be able to tell if I was mixing it with a spoon.

4. Your favorite type of food?

Mac and cheese for sure. I love homemade mac and cheese. I have not found the perfect recipe yet but I am working on perfecting one! (Side note: I can't wait to try it when she does...and I'll make sure you share it with you all!)

5. Anything else you'd like to add?

You won't know if you are a good cook unless you try. So get up and try sometime. Also taste something before you serve it to other people; sometimes it just needs a little something else that was not on a recipe.