Winning Banana Bread

I am sorry that I have been MIA...it isn't just this blog, but my personal one as well. Life got a little crazy and some things got neglected. Baking was not one of those things. As it gets colder, yummy breads are always at the top of my list of favorite things.

I know there are a MILLION banana bread recipes out there, but this is so moist and yummy. Even if you have a recipe you like, give this one a try and see if you don't love it! This recipe is awesome!

Banana Bread

1 cup shortening or butter

2 cups white sugar

2 eggs

2 Tbsp. mayonnaise

6 ripe bananas, mashed (the riper, the better)

3 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

2 tsp. baking soda

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional, but you would be crazy to not add them!)

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional...we are nut free at our house, so i haven't tried the bread with the nuts))

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease (with shortening or butter) two 9x5 loaf pans and then coat pan with light sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar.

2. In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until fluffy and light. Stir in the eggs in one at a time, beating well with each addition. Stir in mayonnaise and bananas. In a seperate bowl, stir together flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix dry ingredients into banana mixture...stir just enough to evenly combine. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts.

3. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean (depending on the over, between 50 and 75 minutes.) Cool for 20 minutes in the pan before removing to wire rack to cool completely.

**This recipe works just as good cut in half if you only have 3 ripe bananas.**

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Tastes like fall...And brings back memories. This recipe was submitted by one of my cute 4th grade students for a Mother's Day Cookbook that we published in 2005. I've made these cookies every fall since then and absolutely love them!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

(Submitted by Alexis Teasdale)

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup shortening

2 eggs

1/2 large can Libby's Canned Pumpkin (NOT Pumpkin Pie...about 1 1/2 cups)*

1 tsp vanilla

2 tsp cinnamon

2 cups flour

1 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp nutmeg

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

12 oz chocolate chips

Cream sugar and shortening. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix in pumpkin. Add dry ingredients. Mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes.

*I personally think Libby's is the BEST brand of pumpkin out there and I do think it makes a different in your baking. Also, you can buy just PUMPKIN or PUMPKIN PIE, make sure it is the PUMPKIN. They are different!

Tomato Macaroni Soup

A combination between pasta and soup, this healthy meal is something the whole family will love! It's a sweet tomato flavor that will leave you coming back for seconds. Perfect comfort food for a fall night.

Tomato Mac

Cook 1 1/3 cup elbow macaroni until slightly undercooked (al dente) and set aside.

In a large soup pan mix the following ingredients:

1 large (32 oz.) can tomato juice and then a half can of water

1 ½ t. dried parsley flakes

1 t. chili powder

½ c. sugar

2 T butter

½ c. Catalina light dressing

1 pound browned ground beef (salt and pepper to taste)

Heat the above and add cooked macaroni last. Simmer until macaroni is warmed.

Mom's Chili

Delicious...SUPER EASY! This Chili recipe is amazing and requires little effort. Perfect for a chilly fall night! Serve with corn bread or breadsticks to round out the perfect middle-of the week meal.

Mom's Chili

2 large cans chili beans

1 Tbsp minced onion

1 tsp salt

dash of pepper

1 Tbsp sugar

1 quart tomato juice

1/2 cup ketchup

1/8 tsp chili powder

2 cups water

Bring to a boil. Add 2 lbs. UNCOOKED hamburger beef. Boil 30-40 minutes. (Watch it so the beans don't burn...I like to stir every few minutes...) Serve with sour cream and grated cheese.

Baked Apple Dessert

Fall is in the air and nothing says 'crisp air' like apples! This is one of my favorite childhood desserts. It is like unto apple crisp, but less crunchy, which is why I like this so much better! I won't admit publicly that I have made the topping and eaten it plain...It's that good!

Baked Apple Dessert

6 cups apples (about 5 apples...I like Granny Smith)

Evenly layer them in the bottom of a 9X13 pan. Sprinkle with sugar.

Mix together: (Note: I always double this because I love the topping!)

1 cup sugar

1 cup flour

1 heaping tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted

Add mixture to the top of the apples.

Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes. Optional: Serve with ice cream or sweetened whipped cream.

No-Fail Rolls

These rolls are super yummy...but the BEST part about them is that YOU CANNOT MESS THEM UP! If you don't think you can successfully make homemade rolls...then these are the ones for you! Seriously! The recipe calls for a total of 2 hours of rising time...but, if you don't get around to them for 5 hours...they STILL WORK!

Crescent Rolls

Nikie Elwood

1 cup (2 cubes) softened butter or margarine

2 cups hot water

3/4 cup sugar

1 Tbsp salt

Mix until frothy.

Add:

2 cups flour and mix well

2 Tbsp yeast and another 2 cups flour and mix well

3 eggs and another 3-4 cups flour and mix well

Let raise 1 hour. Cut into 3 sections. Roll into a circle and with a pizza cutter divide the dough into 16 slices. (I often divide my dough into 4 sections and then do 12 slices...) Roll each slice into a crescent starting at the fatter end and rolling towards the thinner end. Let rolls raise 1 additional hour. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes. Yields 4 dozen.

Cereal Mix

Most commonly called "Jazz Mix" in Kandi's Kitchen as its made to munch on while watching the Utah Jazz play basketball, this cereal mix is easy to put together and easy to disappear...Super yummy!

Cereal Mix (Jazz Mix)

Mix together in large bowl:

4 1/2 cups Golden Grahams Cereal

6 cups Rice Chex Cereal

1 1/2 cup cashews

In a medium pan, bring to boil:

1 1/2 cubes margarine

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup white corn syrup (Karo)

Cook mixture to just under 230 (soft ball stage). Pour over cereal and stir until cool and separated. When TOTALLY cooled, add 1/4 lb. M&Ms. (You can use red/green M&Ms at Christmas or red/black ones at Halloween for a festive treat!)