Wednesday, February 3, 2016

The only Banana Bread recipe you'll ever need

This is seriously the only banana bread recipe you'll ever need. It's so good. It is an adaption of this blueberry banana bread recipe which was the first recipe I ever shared on my blog! Craziness huh almost 4 years ago? I use this banana bread recipe every time I make banana bread, it's like once you find that perfect recipe for something you don't go away from it because there is no need to fix something that isn't broken! Anyways, I used a buttermilk substitute on this particular loaf of bread because I didn't have any buttermilk. I noted below in the ingredients what the substitute is. 
Ingredients
2 cups flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (2 to 3)
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
(SUBSTITUTE for buttermilk: 1/2 milk cup and 1 teaspoon lemon juice)
6 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
large egg 

Oatmeal Streusel (Topper on Bread)
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 
  • 1/4 cup regular rolled oats
  • 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
    • 2 tablespoons butter, cut into chunks 
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Preparation

  • 1. Preheat oven to 350°.
  • 2. In another bowl, blend 2 cups flour, the sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
  • 3. In a third, large bowl, whisk bananas, buttermilk, butter, vanilla and egg to blend. Stir flour mixture into banana mixture just until evenly moistened; the batter will be stiff. 
  • 4. Spread batter level in a buttered 5- by 9-inch loaf pan. Sprinkle with oatmeal streusel and press in lightly.
  • 5. Bake bread in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 60 to 70 minutes.
  • 6. Let bread cool in pan on a rack for 10 minutes, then run a knife around edges to loosen. Invert bread onto a plate, remove pan, and turn over onto rack to cool completely, about 45 minutes.

  • Oatmeal Streusel Preparation
  • In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup each all-purpose flour, regular rolled oats, and chopped dried banana chips; 2 tablespoons each firmly packed brown sugar and butter, cut into chunks; and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Mix with your fingers until fine crumbs form.

  • I love my banana bread completely cooled with a thin layer of butter on top with a nice glass of milk!  Also it should be noted that I always do the oatmeal streusel on top so I can't speak for the bread without the streusel! 
  • love, Carlee 

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

4000+ and Happy Birthday Little Sloth

Happy late birthday Little Sloth! My business turned 3 years old on January 27th. And January 27th came and went and I didn't even realize until Jan 29 that I had missed it. Gahhhhhhh. I will chalk it up with being busy with Valentine's orders and trying to get a new product in the works. Which I think is a better representation of me caring about my business then remembering a date. Although I might need to treat myself to something fun because 3 years of a business is an accomplishment!
I also hit 4000 sales last week! Which was one of my goals to reach by my birthday this year (February 12) so I made it! It has been a really great year and I am excited as always to see what the new year brings. I know I am talking like it's the start of 2016 when in reality we have been in it a month but I am just starting to feel like I can talk about the new year and be excited about it. So weird I know. 

Anyways, I have a new product in the works that should be launching mid March. So it will be awhile but I am excited about it. I am also working on new mug designs and always working on new card designs. Have any animals that you would love to see on a mug? Or think might be popular? I am always open to ideas!!! 
love, Carlee 

Monday, February 1, 2016

Life lately

Hey all! Clark and I went on a date on Saturday night with two of our friends and this is what I wore.

So life lately has been pretty good. Clark starts online college classes today which is exciting. I have never taken an online college class before so it will be interesting to see what it is like. Also since it's not me I won't be worried to much about it. haha

Clark and I both has really bad colds after Christmas that lasted about 2-3 weeks (no joke) and they are finally subsiding. We better not get colds they rest of the year. Okay, that's wishful thinking I know.

I have been re-watching The Hills lately. (You know with Lauren Conrad) I am on season 2 on Hulu. When I am working from home i.e. making greeting cards and mugs. I need some background noise and this has been a good background noise. After this I might re-watch Friends on Netflix because let's be real Friends is always great.

I feel like I have to deep clean our apartment every week. One because of the dog hair - thanks Knox, I still love you. And two because of the dust I swear our apartment accumulates so much dust especially in the winter and way more then I remember my houses back in WA growing up. But maybe my mom was better at cleaning then me. Yeah that last thought it probably the truth.

I'll just be over here stamping envelopes and boxes with the Little Sloth logo. Happy Monday!
love, Carlee 
Purse: Target
Skirt and Tank: Old Navy
Hat: American Eagle
Boots: TJ Maxx
Plaid Shirt: Forever 21