As an avid lover of banana bread I’m sort of surprised it took me this long to get around to making mom’s recipe. I’m used to a darker banana bread (usually darker on account of brown sugar) but the granulated white sugar makes for a distinct sort-of caramelized crust that really won over my friends and family. And who doesn’t love chocolate chips?

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup Earth Balance
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups bananas, very ripe, mashed (approx. 3-4)
• 3 1/3 cups flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 – 1 1/2 cups walnuts, chopped
• 3/4 – 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)

Yield: 1 loaf (9×5”)

Preheat oven to 350^o.

Cream Earth balance and sugar together. Beat in eggs one at a time, until smooth. Add mashed bananas and blend in.

In second bowl, sift flour with baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk together. Add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture stirring only to moisten. Fold in the nuts and chocolate chips (if using). Transfer to a loaf pan and bake for 60-70 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.