Banana Bread Pudding

Wow, has it really been a year since I made Ricotta Cake for Charlie's birthday last year!? Time flies. This year, I made Banana Bread Pudding for my favorite human. It was a huge success and very easy.

It all began with a couple of hot dog buns. I diced them up.

Then I sliced up some ripe bananas and put the buns and bananas in a baking dish. I sprinkled a generous dash of nutmeg and cinnamon on top.

Then I made the custard: milk, eggs, vanilla, salt, and sugar.  The custard got poured over the top.

Then the bread pudding baked. The sweet smell of cinnamon and bananas filled the apartment ... ahhh! So much nicer than the fresh coat of deck stain that has been wafting through lately. Yuck.The bread pudding was done when it was firm in the center, but not dry. Giving the pan a hearty jiggle made this clear.

After a night of school for both Charlie and I, it sure was nice to come home to this treat. Freshly baked banana bread pudding with a little scoop of organic chocolate ice cream ... a dreamy combination!

Happy birthday to you, Charlie. You are sweeter than banana bread pudding! I tried to find the most flattering photo of you to accompany this post. You sure are handsome.

Fruited Yogurt Desserts

This is a simple dessert recipe that really anyone can do! Even you beginners!  I made Fruited Yogurt Desserts this afternoon for a healthy snack.

I began by gathering my ingredients: plain yogurt, blueberries, a banana, and agave syrup.

I get my agave syrup from a local company called Uncle Harry's Natural Products. If you have a moment, you should really check them out.  Uncle Harry's has some amazing stuff! I love the All Natural Tooth Powder and Monoi Tiare Oil. They also just started a twitter, which updates with sassy and smart tidbits!

I digress. Back to this yogurt delight: put a couple of spoonfuls of yogurt in a bowl. Peel and slice banana into coins and add it the bowl. Sprinkle blueberries into the bowl. Drizzle with about half a tablespoon of agave nectar. Stir and ENJOY! Or else! 

This isn't rocket science folks! Fruited Yogurt Desserts are yummy. I had to modify mine a bit from the original recipe due to a lack of certain fruits being in season and certain sweeteners not being a staple in my home. A flexible recipe for sure.

Banana Bread

Some of my favorite moments are ones spent all alone; a hot mug of milky tea, Harry Nilsson crooning in the background, creating a kitchen sink of a recipe like Banana Bread.

There's a lot going on here folks: a sesame seed coated loaf pan, super ripe bananas soaked in strong coffee, vanilla extract, almond extract, orange zest, and a beautiful variety of spices.

When I told Charlie I was making banana bread, he said he was excited for the chocolate chips! (Homedude LOVES chocolate). I realized the recipe didn't call for them, but it appears that even Ms. Mollie herself likes to add them, so I did too.