Big Bird's Banana Bread

So far we have jarred up about 10 pints of honey, and there are still several combs left in our buckets waiting their turn for crushing and straining. That’s about 16 pounds of honey (well, according to the online calculator I found, it’s 15 pounds, but we also used quite a bit in passing that never made it to the jar at all).

Anyway, with all that honey around, we need to use it for more than just sweetening morning tea and coffee. (More about honey in coffee later — it’s a life changer worthy of its own post). This morning, Kirk pulled out an old favorite recipe:

Big Bird’s Banana Bread is the best you will ever eat. This recipe is vintage 1970s, straight from the Sesame Street Magazine (though ours is a photocopy). This recipe is also as wholesome as you would expect, given the earnest source: tons of real bananas, honey instead of sugar, and it’s totally whole wheat. You’ll have more fun if you click on the photos and follow the original directions, but here’s the basic, unbeatable recipe:

Big Bird’s Banana Bread

3 (over)ripe bananas

3/4 cup honey

1/4 cup butter

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flower

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and melt the butter in a saucepan.

2. Peel the bananas and place them in a large mixing bowl. Mash them with a fork; then add the melted butter.

3. Add the remaining ingredients and stir until blended. 

4. Pour the batter into an oiled pan and bake for one hour. Test with a toothpick to be sure it comes out clean.

5. Allow to cool on a baking rack before eating.

This is a very moist banana bread that tastes so cake-y no one will ever guess it’s all whole-wheat. Kirk has been making this forever, and everyone loves it! You could also add nits or chocolate chips if you want, but we really like it as-is.