Hannah Banana Granola

Last March I was debating on whether I should start a food blog. I was constantly cooking and creating various recipes. It has also always been a dream of mine to open a food establishment, but I believe in starting small and thought a blog would be a great start. I was at my friends house and asking if they had any ideas for my blog. My friend said so point blank- well duh Hannah's Bananas, since you are Hannah Banana. Thus, the blog was born. But even more so I am making a specific Hannah Banana post as a bit of a test. My boyfriend basically only refers to me as Banana and also has been asking for at least a shout-out. Yes, this is a test to see if he actually looks at my blog.
But besides the sneaky test, I made this granola of things I like and also in spirit for the start of the new year. Each year people make a resolution to eat healthier, be better, and on- so here is my healthier granola to help kick start a year I hope that is filled with good health, happiness, and prosperity for all.

Servings: 9 half-cup servings

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups of old fashioned oats
1/8 cup of honey
4 tablespoons of agave
3 tablespoons of water
4 tablespoons of PB2
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup of banana chips broken into small pieces

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.

In a large bowl mix the oats, honey, agave, cinnamon, vanilla, PB2, and walnuts. Spread the mix onto a baking sheet and place into the over for about 40-50 minutes, until the oats are lightly browned.

Brake up the banana chips into small pieces. Once the granola is done, mix in the banana chips. Allow the granola to sit out and cool for about 30 minutes until it becomes crunchy.

Store in an airtight container and enjoy!

 

Peppermint Candy Chocolate Bark

As the holiday season approaches it is always nice to be thankful for what we have in our lives; it is important to focus on the good present rather that what is missing. For some holidays can be bittersweet- happy for the holly times or reminiscent of what used to be. But it is always important to shine the light on the dark and be grateful for our lives and the people in them. At the Hebrew school I teach as we discuss ways to give back to others and how we can be thankful for all we have. This past week we also had a discussion of how we can thank people, or G-d in the religious aspect of the school as well as where we can talk to G-d. Once this question arose, as we were sitting in the sanctuary of the Temple, a child called out, "Church! We can talk in Church!" Sometimes that needed chuckle is necessary and allows us to take a step back and appreciate all the good around us.  To appreciate and say thank you, this peppermint bark is a great gift.

Ingredients:

2 bags of semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 bags of white chocolate chips
1/2- 1 cups of crushed peppermint candies or candy canes
Instant coffee

Directions:

Line a 9 x 13 baking pan with parchment paper.

Make a double boiler and place the semi-sweet chocolate and about 1 teaspoon of instant coffee in the top part of the boiler. Allow the chocolate to melt and stir often. Once the chocolate is a smooth consistency, pour it into the pan. Place the pan into the fridge to allow the chocolate to harden.

While the chocolate is in the fridge, melt down the white chocolate. Once the white chocolate has also melted to a smooth consistency, pour it over the semi-sweet chocolate. Before placing the chocolate in the fridge, sprinkle the crushed peppermint candy over the white chocolate. Place the pan into the fridge and allow the chocolate to harden.

(*If wanting a smoother or more fudge like consistency, add a bit of milk into each of the chocolates as they are melting in the double boiler.)

Once hard, break the chocolate into pieces and enjoy!

Happy Holiday!

Banana Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting

I've been on a banana kick lately- maybe it is due to the lack of banana recipes on my blog or the fact I've celebrated my birthday for two weeks, and I am, of course, banana. My birthday festivities ranged from a surprise birthday party, to a nice dinner with my mom, to a small party with friends at school. Each had their special quirks and of course a banana theme- from an ice cream cake decorated with bananas to an apron decorated with the Hannah's Bananas logo. Although I love the combination of banana and peanut butter, thus making me inspired to create this recipe in honor of my last week for the semester at my research position. Yet on that day I did witness some interesting behavior involving a butt, but (haha pun!) I'll spare the rest of the details.
Enjoy this sweet and potential breakfast item and have a banana filled bite!

Servings: about 24 cupcakes

Ingredients
 3 mashed bananas
1 stick of unsalted butter, browned
1 egg
1 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup of sour cream

Frosting Ingredients:
1 stick of vegetable shortening
1 stick of unsalted butter, room temperature
3 cups of powdered sugar
2 teaspoons of vanilla
3/4 cup of creamy peanut butter
5-6 tablespoons of water

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In small pot, place the stick of butter on medium heat. Allow the butter to melt and continue to stay on the heat until it becomes brown in color and produces and nut like fragrance.

In a medium mixing bowl mash the three bananas. Then add in the sugar and browned butter. Then mix in the egg and vanilla. Stir in the sour cream, baking soda, and baking powder. In small batches mix in the flour.

Once the ingredients are fully combined, ladle the batter into a cupcake lined cupcake pan, filling the liners about 3/4 of the way full. Bake the cupcakes 15-20 minutes, until they are golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.

To make the frosting
In a medium add in 1 stick of vegetable shortening and 1 stick of butter. Slowly add in the three cups of powdered sugar, and cream the powdered sugar with the shortening and butter. Then add in the vanilla and peanut butter. Finally add in the water in order to reach a smooth consistency.

Once the cupcakes are cooled, the frosting can be added. Either by spreading or using a pastry/plastic bag to create a swirl, frost the cupcakes. To add a finishing garnish, place a banana chip on top.

Enjoy!