I baked Joanna Gaines' banana bread from the Magnolia Table cookbook volume 1. It was so good, but here's how it went, and the recipe.

I really wanted to bake banana bread especially because we're on day 12313435348 of quarantine. And Jo's recipe has always been one I wanted to try. So here's my experience with the process and the recipe. It was super easy. I was super bored. And super hungry.

8 tablespoons salted butter (1 stick) melted
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large egg, beated
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
4-5 very ripe bananas (mashed)
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans (or 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips, I used chocolate chips)
1-2 tablespoons granulated sugar (as needed)

1. Preheat the over to 350°F. Spray an 8x8 inch pan with nonstick baking spray or line with parchment paper. (I used a glass pyrex and parchment paper)​

2. In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or a large bowl with handheld mixer), beat together the butter, eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla until well blended. Add the bananas and mix until combined. 

3.  In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat until combined. Add the pecans (or chocolate chips).

4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle sugar over the top. Cover the surface completely or use however much you'd like. (Note: I sprinlked more chocolate chips over the top, the recipe does not call for this, but I love me some chocolate)

5. Bake until an inserted toothpick comes out clean, 45-50 minutes. Let the bread cool slightly on a cooling rack. Slice and serve with butter.

6. When completely cooled, cover the pan with foil (or use a pyrex lid) and store at room temperature for up to 2 days.

I made this blanket ladder with extra furring strips I had. Quarantine has definitely been getting to me, but these DIY side projects are keeping me somewhat sane. Here is a walk through of my process!