Sharing today a very special recipe of mine from the very first recipe contest I ever entered, and actually happened to win, back in 1994! I had, after only two trials, come up with quite a wonderful sweet quick-bread recipe combining a trio of my favorite ingredients! Peanut butter, fresh ripe bananas, and of course, chocolate!

 

 

Years ago, Better Homes & Gardens magazine used to have these contests in the back of their magazine that always consisted of two categories to choose from to enter a recipe to win various prizes and money!

As it’s been many years now, I don’t recall the exact category they were asking for that month for a future issue, but it obviously was for desserts including quick breads.

Sooooo, I entered their contest not ever thinking I’d win anything. I mean, holy moley, BH&G to me was the giant goddess of all home improvement, cooking and decorating magazines out there!

The thought that they’d pick my recipe never once even crossed my mind. 

 

 

I received a letter from them, and put it in my old woven basket on the kitchen table for 3 days without opening it.

There it sat, and sat… and sat – – and almost got thrown away!

I thought it was a bill!!!

As I was going through the “junk mail pile” to pitch everything, I came across it again and at the lat minute, decided to open it.

Low and behold I had won! I had actually won – – and from, to me, one of the biggest publications there is! (I think I almost fainted! No exaggeration!) I will never forget that day as long as I live! TOTAL and utter shock!!

I ended up winning an entire set of Cranberry Visions Cookware and $500.00 to boot! (And that was a LOT of money back then when I was working my tail off earning a VERY small minimum wage!)

Heck, $500.00 is STILL a lot of money to me to this day and always will be!! 😉 

 

 

Though painfully shy and extremely humble, I secretly was so very proud of this! It gave me a bit of confidence in myself that I never had, and made me feel like all of my efforts were suddenly appreciated and finally justified.

 

 

I entered their contests several more times after that, and won 5 more times! I still have all of the original certificates still in their original frames!

I don’t display them on the wall anymore though, because sadly, most have my ex’s last name on them. (Not something I want to be reminded of, LOL!)

Maybe someday I can do something with them so that they can still grace an out-of-the-way wall showing a few of my accomplishments that always brought me a smile.

But for now, they’ll just remain “put away”. 

 

 

Here’s a photo of this one for you, though! Thought I’d go ahead and show ‘n tell, as I’ve had my creation stolen many times by people who claim to have thought it up themselves.

Every ingredient exactly the same clear down to the frosting and garnish!! (Really? REALLY??!)

I assure you, I was the first! 😉 MANY years ago, almost twenty years ago now, and this recipe is very much mine and mine alone! 😉

 

 

 

My poor guinea pig neighbors can attest to that!! They were the nicest people and such dear friends! I sure do miss them, my 1901 farmhouse back in LaPorte, Indiana with the massive front porch, and my huge vegetable gardens!

I heard the new owner, the day after I sold my house to him, chopped down my Golden Delicious Apple tree that I planted myself, though. Probably a good thing that I live far away now!! 😉

My husband (now) and I are planning on planting a fruit tree here next spring. 😉  Im thinking … cling-free peaches if possible! 🙂 Or maybe another apple tree…we’ll see. 😉

 

 

So I hope you enjoy my recipe and make it for years to come! It’s moist and delicious and doesn’t even need a smear of butter! And if anyone tries to tell you that they thought it up themselves, just ask to see their certificate! 😉 Enjoy all and have a most wonderful day! 🙂

 

 

MY AWARD-WINNING PEANUT BUTTER BANANA BREAD with CHOCOLATE CHIPS & PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE FROSTING

Makes two – 8″ x 4″ loaves

 

2 1/2 cups flour

1 Tbl. baking powder

3/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

3 medium to large over-ripe bananas

1 cup milk

3/4 cup creamy or chunky peanut butter, I always use Peter Pan

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar, can sub light

1 extra large egg, room temp.

3 Tbl. vegetable oil

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

 

For Icing:

3 Tbl. creamy or chunky peanut butter

2 Tbl. butter

1 cup powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar)

1 Tbl. milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

chopped peanuts and additional mini chocolate chips for garnish on top

 

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

In medium bowl, combine first 4 ingredients until well mixed. Set aside.

In large mixer bowl, add bananas squishing into bowl with hands. Consistency preferred is medium lumps but not fully mashed. Add milk, peanut butter,  sugars, egg, oil, and vanilla. Beat until mixed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl. 

Slowly beat in flour mixture until just combined and all is moist. Mix in mini chocolate chips.

Grease bottoms only of two 8″ x 4″ loaf pans.

Pour batter into pans dividing evenly. Pop into the oven and bake for 55-60 minutes or until tests done.

Let cool in pans 10 minutes. Loosen edges all the way around with a knife, and turn out onto a cooling rack to fully cool.

When cooled completely, tightly wrap in plastic wrap and chill overnight in fridge. 

The next day, make the icing. 

Melt peanut butter and butter in saucepan, remove from heat and stir in powdered sugar, milk and vanilla. 

Spread over loaves and garnish with chopped peanuts and more mini chocolate chips.