Baking With Your Kids & Teaching Healthy Habits: Warm Banana Bread (with Vegan option)

7 ingredients. One bowl. And some love.

One of my most loved activities is spending time in the kitchen. The only thing that makes it better is having my daughter (and I hope someday my son) with me. There are many reasons for this, one of them being that baking calms me. Its a comfort thing: the warmth of the oven, the smell of the spices as they heat, the element of family. The kitchen is comfort, and also love. Thats why so many of us have this love/hate relationship with food! We associate such strong memories with mealtimes, cooking as a family, eating together. I want my daughter and son to have ALL of that- just in a healthier way.

Am I saying that kitchen time is relaxing with kids underfoot? NO! Its not. Its messy, it takes a lot of work, and this banana bread I can throw together in about ten minutes by myself took about 1/2 hour with my Olivia "helping" me. But the key word there was "together." We did it together, and damn it if she didn't have so much fun. And not only that, but she's learning as we go!

She may only be four, but her mind is a little sponge. She learns many things while we cook & bake together, and its the best kind of learning: by example. We all know children follow what they see much more than what they are told. As a matter of fact, this applies to me, even as an adult. I am NOT giving my four year old lectures on not using artificial sweeteners or counting carbohydrates or choosing high fiber options. What I WILL do is bake this easy, delicious banana bread with her, using healthy choices. And she will eat it. Why? Because she calls it a "love cake," because we made it together...with love. (mush mush mush!)

So--here's what you need:

Ingredients

• 3-4 very ripe bananas, peeled (average size)
• 1/2 cup local raw honey (or 1 cup sugar)
• 1 egg, beaten (or egg substitute for vegan, or flaxseed)
• 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 2 cups of all-purpose flour (or substitute 1 1/2 cups coconut flour, as I did)
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, or seasoning of choice
• Mix-ins of choice (we used 1 c. walnuts) 

Preheat your oven to a whopping 350 degrees, and prep your pan (4x8 loaf) as you see fit to keep the bread from sticking. I'll be honest and tell you I've tried almost every method, but the spray olive oil is my favorite. Not exactly paleo, but it works. :) Now, start by taking a deep breath, cause this is where the fun begins. Give your child a wooden spoon and a bowl- thats right- ONE BOWL. This entire recipe is a one-pot-shot (my favorite-- less dishes!). Put 3-4 overly ripe bananas in the bowl, and let them mash away! Its okay if its still a little chunky at the end- you can fine tune it after they have a go, but a few chunks work just fine.

Next, spread the baking soda on the mixture- don't dump! It will clump!

 Add a pinch of salt- I call this mommy's job- too much salt is dangerous to your final product!

 A teaspoon to tablespoon of vanilla gets poured in...

 Followed by that messy, sticky honey.

 Add the egg, which they can help you beat FIRST in a separate bowl. This is a good time to discuss salmonella (or in kid terms, don't ever eat raw egg or taste the batter after this point!), and stop and wash your hands again.

 GENTLY add the flour. I usually let her put the first part in and then I pour the rest while she softly stirs... no over-mixing here, or you will get that rubbery bread.

 Time for add-ins! Really, that's it! Gently fold in what you want! We used walnuts, but you could go with pecans, c/raisins, or if your living dangerously, chocolate chips.

 Fold them in softly, and pour into your pan.

 TA-DAHHH!

 Bake for 60 minutes, testing the doneness in the center with a toothpick (the tried and true method). If it comes out clean, you (and the bread) are golden!

Place it on a rack to cool, and that's it! The most time consuming part is the baking, at about an hour... But the fun is in the time you spend together making it, and sharing it with loved ones, teachers, and friends after its done.

Please, share this recipe with someone you think might enjoy it. Let me know what you think! I love to hear from you! As always, have a beautiful day. Live healthy, live happy. Amanda