Grandma's Banana Bread

Lately, my thoughts have been consumed with recipes from my childhood.  I love trying new recipes and I regularly seek them out, but sometimes you just want the familiar.

My little boy is having trouble eating right now because he has his first loose tooth.  Yesterday, Mallory and I decided that we'd make his favorite food in the whole world (next to pizza).  Banana Bread.  It's also very soft, so he'd be able to eat it without any discomfort.

Mallory couldn't wait to tell him what we'd made for him and he was so very happy and asked if I'd put some in his lunch today.  I was happy to do so.

I might have to stalk the produce section for black bananas for the next 6 years because I'm told this losing teeth business goes on for years!

This is the recipe I grew up with that my Mom made. 

Grandma's Banana Bread

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup Crisco
2 eggs
3 tbsp buttermilk
3 large bananas, mashed
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups flour

Cream the sugar and shortening together. Add well eaten eggs, buttermilk and other ingredients in order given.  Put in greased pan and bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Buttermilk Brownies

People ask me all the time.  Connie Weiss, have you ever been on The Today Show? 

I have to tell them no, I have not yet been discovered.

But when they ask me for a brownie recipe, I gladly share the one that my Mother has been making for almost 30 years!

She got it from a lady named Wanda that worked with her at The Greeley Gas Company. 

Wanda's Buttermilk Brownies

brownies:

• 1 stick of butter
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 4 tbsp cocoa
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup buttermilk

frosting:

• 6 tbsp butter
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 6 tbsp milk
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, shortening, cocoa and water.  Heat until almost boiling.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and baking soda.  Add the chocolate mixture, sugar, eggs, vanilla and buttermilk.

Grease a jelly roll pan and add the batter.  Bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes.  Cool completely before frosting.

To make the frosting, combine butter, sugar and milk in a saucepan and boil for two minutes.  Add the chocolate chips and stir until they are incorporated.  Place the pan in cold water and beat with a mixer until spreading consistency.

Frost brownies and enjoy!