While I probably spent way too much time in the kitchen, it was still a really nice weekend! Plus, I have 4-5 successes to come out of it, which I will share with you this week. So, there was Twilight on Friday night, a beautiful Saturday morning of exploration with my little guy, a visit to the park just the 3 of us & a spontaneous Sunday night at our friend's house making dinner, sampling a champagne/vodka hybrid & playing Rock Band with the kids.
How was Twilight? I liked it enough & was not as disappointed as some, but didn't love it. There were laughable scenes that should not have been but I promised myself I wouldn't dissect it too much. I figured nothing on the big screen could compete with the feelings I was left with after reading the series anyway. What I did love was seeing it with my best friend Tam after having a few drinks, the 1st kiss & the casting of Alice & Emmett. What I didn't like was Jacob's hair, Jasper looking like Edward Scissorhands & Edward's response to Bella in Biology. My opinion is it's definitely a go see it for yourself & tell me what you think kinda movie.
What I really loved was finding this recipe at the last minute Saturday morning, where I had all the ingredients on hand, including the over ripe bananas. My little guy really liked it & I also took some over to our neighbors & friends. This would be perfect if you're having guests in for the holidays.
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans (I used walnuts & almonds)
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 large egg
1 1/3 cups mashed very ripe bananas (about 3 large)
3 tablespoons milk
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour 8x8 inch baking pan. Stir together chocolate chips, brown sugar, nuts & cinnamon; set aside. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder & salt into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat sugar, butter & egg in large bowl until fluffy. Beat in mashed bananas & milk. Add dry ingredients & mix until combined.
Spread half of batter in prepared baking pan. Sprinkle with half of streusel. Repeat with remaining batter & streusel. Bake coffee cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool coffee cake in pan on rack.
1/2 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans (I used walnuts & almonds)
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 large egg
1 1/3 cups mashed very ripe bananas (about 3 large)
3 tablespoons milk
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour 8x8 inch baking pan. Stir together chocolate chips, brown sugar, nuts & cinnamon; set aside. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder & salt into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat sugar, butter & egg in large bowl until fluffy. Beat in mashed bananas & milk. Add dry ingredients & mix until combined.
Spread half of batter in prepared baking pan. Sprinkle with half of streusel. Repeat with remaining batter & streusel. Bake coffee cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool coffee cake in pan on rack.
My Thoughts:
Check your cake after 35 minutes. Mine was done in 38 minutes. If you're into sweet & love chocolate use the 1 cup of chocolate chips. Me, I may just decrease to 3/4 cup next time. I also used different nuts just to get rid of them but I would love to try the pecans. Depending on your preference for the level of sweetness, this could be had for breakfast or for dessert!
Coming tomorrow is an awesome appetizer that will be sitting on my holiday table. So delicious, I made it twice this weekend!!!!!
I still need to see the movie!!
ReplyDeleteThis cake looks fabulous! I make a similar version...but it doesn't have butter, odd, I know, but it is SO good!! I promise:)
Banana and chocolate?? That sounds like a little taste of heaven. And a complete diet breaker...
ReplyDeleteMmmmmmm...looks nummy.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm with ya on the Twilight thing.
And champagne and vodka mixed? Didn't you get a headache? Oh, that's right. You're a seasoned lush.
champagne vodka! mmmm! sounds like something to try. that breakfast dish looks delish! i am getting so excited about all of the upcoming cooking and baking this week! going shopping TODAY! :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a super fun weekend, especially the unplanned time with friends. Isn't that the best?
ReplyDeleteI think I may take this to my Grandparents for Thanksgiving. It's made the list! Now I have to scour your recipes for more contenders. :o)
This looks like something I'd DEVOUR. I felt exactly like you did about Twilight.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, another wondefully delicious recipe.
ReplyDeleteI will be seeing The Movie on Friday. I am afraid I will be laughing a lot.
Sounds like a super fun weekend, especially the unplanned fun with friends.
ReplyDeleteThis recipe sounds delish! It has made the list to take to the Grandparents for Turkey Day. Now I just have to look through all of your other fab offerings and make my decision! :o) Woohoo!
i love you, i love you, i love you!!! this is awesome, i am so trying this one!! thanks!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great combination chocolate and bananas. That coffee cake is simply beautiful Steph. Great Job.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great combination chocolate and bananas. That coffee cake is simply beautiful Steph. Great Job.
ReplyDeleteGREAT Recipe....NOW what about Twilight??? LOL LOL HOPE you have a great Holiday!! Again thank you...see me down on the floor bowing to YOU!
ReplyDeleteSEE I just know if I go see it I will not love it...LOL I will probably be just like YOU...BOOKS for me are always much better than the movie hands down....just the way it is...BUT AT LEAST YOU HAD A GIRLS NIGHT OUT...YOHOOO!!!!
ReplyDeleteSEE I just know if I go see it I will not love it...LOL I will probably be just like YOU...BOOKS for me are always much better than the movie hands down....just the way it is...BUT AT LEAST YOU HAD A GIRLS NIGHT OUT...YOHOOO!!!!
ReplyDeleteI still need to see the movie, but I think I'm going to wait a couple of weeks...
ReplyDeleteand I so need someone to make this coffee cake for me. I think I can get my best friend to do it! haha! :)
That looks so good!
ReplyDeleteI moved again: http://awalkthroughthevalley.com/
I think I'll stop moving for a while now.
Oh, I am also still at Bitsy as well, but the main focus is the link above.
Thanks for the birthday wishes!! I can't wait to see tomorrow's appetizer recipe. I have friends coming over for cocktails on Friday and wanted to try something new!
ReplyDeleteOf course I think of you every time I see a mention of "Twilight."
ReplyDeleteI may try this type of struesel on our pumpkin pie!!
Gosh, I wish I could bake like you!! And I wish even more that my kids would be brave enough to try some of this stuff!! :)
ReplyDeleteI will definitely try the apple cider trick on Thanksgiving Day-- see how many "comments" I get about how good it smells!!
BTW- were you not totally impressed with Twilight because it skipped alot of the book...or was the acting bad..?? My son is begging me to take him and I'd like to prepare him before we go!!
This sounds heavenly!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteoh - THAT looks heavenly!!!!
ReplyDeleteI've got overly ripe bananas too! I think this would be a good solution to banana bread....again!
ReplyDeleteYum!
ReplyDeleteI loved twilight. And I know, I thought Jacob's hair was always in a ponytail until the second book?
I always have banana that start to go south before we can eat them. I am going to have to remember this.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you had a great weekend and I loved your thoughts about the movie. I decided to wait for the DVD.
That looks so yummy!
ReplyDeleteI have heard mixed reviews of the movie. I guess I'll just have to see it for myself!
I was glad to read your review of the movie. I did not go see it due to other scheduled events but I think my expectations are low. I don't think a movie ever captures the wonder of a good novel. So, I will probably wait until the hype dies down. My daughter's friend said the place was full of young people and loud.
ReplyDeleteAs always, I am clicking for a printable recipe.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agreed with your feelings on Twilight. Let's just go back a few months...when you were reading for the first time and we were having all those great conversations and sighing and giddiness...'cause that was fun.
New Moon will be better. So will The Hunger Games--my goal in life it to have it made into a movie. For real!
I think I"ll make this for this weekend to ahve around for breakfast but I'm going to pass on the chocolate chips. I have a freezer full of ripe bananas that I need to use up!
ReplyDeleteFull on ditto regarding your Twilight thoughts. I *loved* Alice and Emmett!! This recipe looks like another great one to add to my must try pile.
ReplyDeleteMmmmmm....love mulled cider but I make mine exactly the same but with half red wine :)
ReplyDeleteLucky you to get to see Twilight....I read all four books this summer (borrowed them off of my daughter LOL)
I wanted to see the movie with my daughter but of course I had to see it with her girlfriends first.
I'll have to get her to go again with me. She and most of her girlfriends actually liked it cause usually they find afer they've read a book the movies isn't as good. But they thought the characters were well cast. Same as you though, they didn't like Jacob's hair.
The coffe cake looks so yummy ...who needs a cookbook when I have your blog !
Cheers,
Bre
Mmmmm, those melted chocolate chips look sooo yummy!
ReplyDeleteScrew the foodnetwork.com, this is where I am going to search for recipes!
ReplyDeleteHa! You didn't get me this morning. Know why? I had apple pie for breakfast. Oh yes I did.
ReplyDeleteOk, looks like I am signing up for WW. And, I think YOU, with all of your luscious goodies should be footing the bill for the membership!
ReplyDeleteThis looks incredibly delicious!! Maybe I'll tuck this recipe aside and use it for Christmas. I've been wanting to try something different.
ReplyDeleteOh, and here's the link for the combat medical classes you had inquired: http://www.medicalcorps.org/texas-081208.htm
These are normally offered in Ohio, but they are coming to Texas next month. Classes are full with a waiting list. I can't wait!
Shalom! ;-)
YUM!
ReplyDeleteI totally gelt the same way about Twilight! I heard that they have the go ahead to start on the 2nd one! Have you checked out the Stephenie Meyer website where she started a new book from Edward's perspective? The first chapter is good! I guess someone stole it and now she can't publish it or something like that.
What a WONDERFUL weekend!
ReplyDeleteTHis looks divine! I have some bananas that will be ready for this recipe soon. Thank you!
My Mom makes muffins like this and they are so scrumptious : ). I wish I had some mushed up bannanas and I would try to whip some up right now.
ReplyDeleteYou are speaking my LANGUAGE with that recipe. MmmmMMmmm. Trying that for this week's company.
ReplyDeleteI so need to make this...
ReplyDeleteI just want to be that unwanted food that sits in your home, just so I can experience some of it in person.
ReplyDelete