Banana Upside-down Cake

A slight “twist” to an old favorite.

3 tablespoons butter

1 cup brown sugar

sliced bananas (3 to 4)

3 tablespoons soft shortening

1/2 cup white sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup milk

3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour

1 & 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

Melt butter in large cast iron frying pan, add brown sugar. Stir until sugar is melted. Cover sugar mixture with sliced bananas. Combine shortening, white sugar, egg & milk. Sift in flour mixed with baking powder & salt. Beat hard for 2 min; pour over bananas. Bake at 350 about 25 min. Let rest slightly and turn out onto serving dish and enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grated Sweet Potato Pudding

I have been negligent in posting recipes so I thought today was a good time to try again.

While going though some of my Mother’s old recipes I found this one for grated sweet potato pudding. I remember eating it many times, its delicious. Hope you will try it.

4 cups grated raw sweet potatoes

1 cup milk

3/4 cup light corn syrup

3/4 cup chopped dates

1/2 cup melted butter

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon allspice

1 cup sugar

3 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup chopped pecans, (optional)

Blend all ingredients and mix well. Pour into well greased large iron skillet. Bake at 350 for 60 min. or until firm in center. Stir as needed to prevent sticking. Makes 8 servings.

 

 

 

 

CHUNKY APPLE CAKE

Since we are getting into the Fall months that means apples, lots of beautiful Fall apples. This recipe is one of my favorites.

Apple Cake

1/2 cup melted butter

2 cups sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons cinnamon

4 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced

1 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)

Stir together butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla until blended.

Sift together flour, baking soda, salt  and cinnamon, add to butter mixture, stirring until blended. Stir in apple slices and 1 cup walnuts (or pecans).

Spread into 9 x 13 greased pan

Bake 350 for about 40 to 45 minutes.

Cake is delicious plain or spread with your favorite cream cheese icing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas morning coffee cake

I know it’s not Christmas yet but I came across this recipe and thought I would post it anyway. Don’t have to wait for a special occasion to enjoy this…

   COFFEE CAKE

2 ripe bananas-peeled and pureed in blender

2 cup baking biscuit mix (buttermilk)

2 Tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp allspice

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce

Topping (recipe follows)

Combine baking mix, sugar, cinnamon, allspice. Beat in pureed bananas, egg, & vanilla. Pour into greased 9″ square pan. Break up cranberry sauce. Spoon evenly over batter, Sprinkle with topping recipe.

Bake 400 for 25 minutes or until cake test done.

TOPPING:

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup pecans (chopped)

2 Tbsp melted butter

2 Tbsp granulated sugar

Combine together & sprinkle over batter before baking.

Serve warm and enjoy…

 

A Good Cookie

Moving away from decorated cakes for now, I finally had a chance to make one of my favorite cookies. I wish I had a picture of them to post but take my word for it you can’t stop with just one and they will melt in your mouth. They are a lot like shortbread cookies but rolled in powdered sugar and with nuts. If you don’t have this recipe, try it I’m sure you’ll like it.

OLD FASHIONED WALNUT BALLS

1 cup butter (soft)

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups plain flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups finely chopped walnuts

     Powdered sugar to roll cookies in.

    Cream butter and  brown sugar together. Add vanilla and stir.  Sift flour and salt together, add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in chopped nuts. Shape into walnut sized balls  and bake on ungreased cookie sheet 12 to 15 min. at 375.  Roll in powdered sugar. Roll again in sugar when cool. Makes about 4 doz.

Apricot Oatmeal Bars

I wish I would make these bars more often and not just on holidays. They are so good.  I love the taste of the apricot preserves, making them just sweet enough. I hope you’ll give them a try.  

APRICOT OATMEAL BARS

      Crumb layer
1& 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1& 1/4 cups quick cooking oats
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup melted butter
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon vanilla
     Combine all ingredients, beat on low speed
til crumbly. (Reserve 1 cup for topping) press remainder
into bottom of 9×13″ greased pan.

      Filling & topping
 Spread 1 jar (10 oz.) apricot preserves over crumb mixture.
(do not spread to edge of pan). Sprinkle reserved crumbs over
top, add 1/2 cup flaked coconut.
      Bake 22 to 27 min. until edges are lightly brown. Cool & cut in bars.
                       Makes 3 doz.

Scottish Shortbread

I know there are a lot of recipes for this cookie but this is the one i use. If you love shortbread cookies as much as i do then this is for you. If you’ve never made shortbread you must try it, it’s so easy. Just be sure to use real butter, no margarine here. You can only get that rich buttery crisp taste if you use butter.

Shortbread Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter, soft

1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 cups plain flour

   (and granulated sugar to sprinkle when done)

     Cream butter, add powdered sugar. Beat til light and fluffy. Add flour and stir well. Press into 15x10x1 inch jelly roll pan, cut into fingers or squares, prick all over with fork lightly and chill for 30 min. Bake 375 for 5 min.-reduce heat to 300 and bake for 20 min. until a pale golden color.  When done sprinkle with sugar.

Candy Strawberries

I wish i had a picture to go with this recipe because these are so pretty. It’s not a new recipe, it’s been floating around a long time. I’m not sure where i got it. They look especially pretty for showers or for gift giving.

Candy Strawberries

2 (3 oz) packages of strawberry gelatin

1 cup ground pecans

1 cup flaked coconut

3/4 cup condensed milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Red decorators sugar & sliced almonds tinted green for stems

         Combine all ingredients (except red sugar & almonds) Mix well and chill 1 Hr. Shape into berries. Roll in red sugar. Place “green” stem in top.

Best Oatmeal Cookies

BEST OATMEAL COOKIES

3 c. oats (quick cook)
2 c. packed brown sugar
1 c. butter
2 lg eggs
1 teas. B. Soda
2 teas. vanilla
1/2 teas. salt
1 & 1/2 c plain flour 
    Combine 1st 7 ingred. Beat well Stir in flour- Mix by hand- Drop TBLS 2 inches apart
on lightly greased pan.   
Bake 8 to 12 min     4doz.

   These are so good and easy. I have also added raisins, coconut, or chocolate chips to the basic recipe for a different taste.