[ Perfect Banana Bread ]

Perfect banana bread

by Martha Stewart

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature, plus more for pan
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups unbleached plain flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (about 3)
• 1/2 cup sour cream (I used Fat Free Greek yogurt)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional; I didn’t use them)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan; set aside. In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, and beat to incorporate.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to the butter mixture, and mix until just combined. Add bananas, sour cream, and vanilla; mix to combine. Stir in nuts, and pour into prepared pan.
3. Bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Let rest in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool. Recipe © 2012 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

[ Hello Dolly Squares. ]

I wanted to add to my Christmas baking repertoire and found this recipe on Pinterest.  Also known as Seven Layer Bars.  Not my image.

Hello Dolly
recipe from Eagle Brand
1/2 cup butter, melted1 
1+1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 (14 ounce) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup shredded coconut


1. Heat oven to 350. 
2. Melt butter and pour into a 9x13 pan. 
3. Mix in graham cracker crumbs. 
4. Pour condensed milk over the crumbs and then layer the remaining ingredients evenly. 
5.  Bake for 25 minutes. 
6. Cool.

[ whipped shortbread ]

These are a standard in our home.  I use Hersey's Chocolate Kisses to decorate tho, rather than maraschino cherries.

Whipped Shortbread

Ingredients:

1 cup butter (not margarine)
½ cup icing sugar
1 + ½ cups flour
Hersey's Chocolate Kisses (small)

Directions:

1. cream butter and sugar
2. add flour and beat for 10 minutes
3. Drop from a small spoon onto a cookie sheet (I use a sil-pad)
4. Decorate with one HCK.
5. Bake at 350F for 10-12minutes

*recipe doubles well.
** not my image