Butter Free Banana Bread

That's right. Butter free. The running club is having a bake sale tomorrow and since we're runners, we make our bake sales "healthy". So in place of a banana bread laden with oil and butter, this one is laden with a lighter option - applesauce. 

Note: large chunks of banana. This is a great, easy recipe for mid-week baking and I definitely helped myself to the edges of the loaf! Given it's missing about 1,000 extra calories, this loaf is certainly not lacking in flavor or texture ...just the guilt. It has that lovely "healthier take" taste that I so love in these kinds of recipes. I love the layer of rustic "this is real food - not a block of fat" flavoring that is so great about healthier versions of classical favorites.

I've seen lighter recipes that call for the addition of applesauce but then still add in oil, or at least a pat of butter. This one is completely oil and butter-free! I'm definitely going to be dipping some in my morning coffee tomorrow. Come get some at the bake sale!

Butter Free Banana Bread
 Adapted from: kitchen runway

3 ripe bananas
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup apple sauce
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs beaten


Preheat your oven to 350F

Mash up the bananas. I left my banana chunks pretty large - I love seeing them in the bread! Add in the vanilla, apple sauce, and 2 eggs

In another bowl, mix together the flour, sugar and baking soda.

Mix together being careful not to overmix! With these healthier options, moisture is quickly lost if you overmix and develop the gluten.

Bake for 45-50 minutes and enjoy!

You could always add nuts & chocolate chips for a twist on texture or sweetness! I omitted the nuts here since at a bake sale, you never know who has a nut allergy...but alternatively, I would have definitely thrown in a handful of walnuts...mmm blueberries?!...next time!

                                                                                                                               Sam