Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

When I lived in Cincinnati I worked at a Catholic nursing home run by nuns. There was one particular nun in charge of the food. She made a ton of baked good for a bake sale they were having. Not everything sold so they gave the extras to the residents. Being in charge of the 4th floor pantry I just had to try some of the zucchini bread that was sent up for breakfast. It was seriously the best bread I had ever eaten. Although I don't know her recipe, I knew one day I would have to make some of my own. Then one of my co-workers at my job now mentioned how he really liked chocolate chip zucchini bread, so I figured now was a great time to try.

What you need:

• 3 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup plain apple sauce
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• 2 cups grated zucchini (about 2 large or 4 small zucchinis)
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven 350 F. Spray a 9x5x3 in. loaf pan.
2. In a medium bowl combine flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large bowl combine olive oil, apple sauce, sugar, eggs, grated zucchini, and vanilla.
4. Pour the dry ingredients into the large bowl and mix until all ingredients are combined.
5. Pour mixture into greased loaf pan and cook for about 1 hour-1 hour 10 minutes. Test with a tooth pick or fork to make sure bread is cooked completely. I cooked mine for additional time. Checking every 10 minutes after the initial time was up.
6. Let the bread cool on a wire rack.
7. Enjoy! 

Banana Bread

Not being in school or working really puts a damper on life. I'm still working at my part time job (I actually put a lot of hours in recently), but I'd really like an adult job. Anyways, life must go on and so I decided to make some banana bread. Now, I used to make this like every other week, but I haven't made it in a while.

What you will need:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 large eggs
• 3 ripe bananas
• 1 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Preheat over to 325 F. Butter or spray a 9x5x3 in. loaf pan.
2. Cream the sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add the eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
   
3. In a small bowl mash the bananas with a fork. Mix in milk and cinnamon.
   
4. In another bowl mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Add the banana mixture to the creamed mixture and stir until combined. Add dry ingredients, mixing just until flour disappears.
   
6. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 1 hour-1 hour 10 minutes
   
7. ENJOY!