Banana Bread

1/2 c unsalted butter
1/2 c brown sugar, light or dark
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 c mashed ripe bananas (about 3 med to large bananas)
1/4 c honey
2 large eggs
2 c whole wheat flour
1/2 c chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350

In a large bowl, beat together the butter, sugar, vanilla, baking soda, and salt. Add the bananas, honey, and eggs; beat until smooth. Add the flour and then the walnuts, stirring until smooth. Spoon the batter into a lightly greased loaf pan, smoothing the top. Let it rest at room temperature for 10 min.

Bake the bread for 50 min, then gently lay a piece of foil across the top, to prevent over browning. Bake for an additional 10 min, then remove the bread from the oven; a long toothpick should come out clean. Allow the loaf to cool for 10 min before removing it from the pan, and cooling it completely on a rack.

* To make them into Banana chocolate chip muffins just stir 3/4 c chocolate chips into the batter. Bake for 20 to 24 min or until toothpick comes out clean.