Strawberry Banana Bread

This is a moist bread that could be served as breakfast or dessert.  The sliced fruit on top makes it look so nice!

Strawberry Banana Bread

1 1/4 c flour
1/2 c white sugar
1/4 c light brown sugar, packed
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 c canola oil
1 egg white, beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup diced strawberries
2-3 strawberries, thinly sliced
1 banana
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a regular loaf pan with cooking spray.  In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, and cinnamon.  Stir to combine.  Mash 1/2 of the banana and add to the dry ingredients.  Thinly slice the remaining 1/2 banana.  Add the oil, beaten egg white, and vanilla, stir until just combined.  Gently fold in 1 cup diced strawberries.  Thinly slice a few more remaining strawberries for topping.  Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and top with thinly sliced bananas and strawberries.  Press them gently into the surface of the batter.  Bake for 40-45 minutes or until toothpick comes out almost clean (cook time can vary depending on moisture of fruit and different ovens).  Allow bread to cool completely before removing from pan.
Adapted from http://www.loveveggiesandyoga.com/

Banana Pudding Trifle

We are having dinner tonight at my house to celebrate my dad's birthday and my birthday.  My dad loves banana pudding, so I made it for dessert.  This is a pretty dessert that looks great in a trifle bowl.  It's also just a great classic banana pudding recipe.

Banana Pudding Trifle

8 oz sour cream
1 8 oz whipped topping, thawed
1 5 oz pkg vanilla pudding
2 c milk
1 pkg vanilla wafers
4 bananas
Combine sour cream, whipped topping, pudding, and milk.  Beat with wire whisk until smooth.  Layer vanilla wafers, pudding mix, then bananas.  Repeat layers, ending with vanilla wafers.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Banana Punch and Cream Cheese Fruit Dip

A couple of friends and I threw a baby shower for our great friend, Erin, on Sunday.  I wanted to post two recipes from that shower.  First, a great banana punch that's super easy and not too strong tasting.  Second, a delicious fruit dip!

Banana Punch

Banana Punch

5 ripe bananas

4 c sugar

5 c water

46 oz pineapple juice

12 oz frozen orange juice

12 oz frozen lemonade

1 2-liter ginger ale

In a blender, puree bananas and pineapple juice.  Combine all ingredients and freeze.  Remove from freezer a few hours before use, serve slushy.  Immediately before serving, add ginger ale.

Cream Cheese Fruit Dip

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 jar marshmellow creme
Mix with electric blender until smooth and creamy.  Serve with mixed fruits.

Cream Cheese Fruit Dip