Just in time for Easter, Hawaiian Banana Nut Bread. The pineapple and bananas make this a moist, rich flavored loaf of bread. Do you remember hummingbird cakes? This bread reminds me of them without the icing. It is easy to make; no mixer just your wooden spoon. I did make it with whole wheat flour. You know me, I always use whole wheat when possible. We showcase this bread at Apples of Gold when we share gifts from the kitchen. This recipe is perfect because it makes two loaves and it freezes great. Below is a picture of how you can share it for a spring or fall gift. Just change out the ribbons and the platters. Adding the platter makes for a nice gift, but not necessary. Your family or friends will love the gift of fresh yummy bread. One of our AOG students would make this recipes for her clients when she would make a sales call. It is always good to do something that will cause folks to remember you and this bread did the trick for her. Happy Baking and spread some JOY by sharing the second loaf.
Ingredients for Hawaiian Banana Nut BreadRight out of oven cooling in pans for 10 minutes. Tidbit Tip: Make sure to spray and flour pans generously – will tend to stick in the middle.The Joyful Gift of Bread
Hawaiian Banana Nut Bread
Moist, delish bread – makes 2 loafs – one to enjoy and one to share! Win–Win
Combine flour, salt, baking soda, sugar and cinnamon, stir well
Stir in nuts
Combine remaining ingredients; add to flour mixture, stirring just until dry and ingredients are moistened
Spoon batter into 2 greased and floured 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 3 inch loafpans
Bake in pre-heated oven 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool in pans 10 minutes, remove from pans, and let cool on wire racks.
Notes
Carrot Nut Bread: Substitute 2 cups grated carrots for bananas.Zucchini Nut Bread: Substitute 2 cups coarsely screeded zucchini for bananas. Tidbit Tip: You may need to cover with foil, after 30 minutes, to prevent over browning. Do you know someone who would enjoy a treat, a gift of joy. Head on over with thesecond loaf and Be A Blessing Today!!!
This Chocolate Chip or Key Lime Cheesecake it is one of my favorite desserts and I love it because it is easy to make and the recipe makes two. So, automatically you can share the joy of a yummy cheesecake with a neighbor or have one for the freezer. I also like that the recipe uses ready-made pie shells that have the bubble plastic covers which makes for easy transporting or freezing. I will have to say it is not the prettiest dessert I have ever made but the taste and texture is really wonderful. Of course, you can dress it up with whipped cream and fresh fruit. I took these pictures hastily because I was serving the cheesecake for our small group meeting. I do really well taking pictures as I go along preparing and cooking, but then I always seem in a hurry to take the finished pictures because we are always ready to eat what I have cooked.
This dessert would be great to take to your Easter Celebration. Adults and kids love it and so do our Apples of Gold team and students. We serve the cheesecakes, for 34 people, for week #5 but we make them on week #2 and put them in the freezer. So you could do the same. One year for Christmas I made lots of them and gifted my neighbors with a cheesecake. I can’t tell you how many I have made over the years. I hope you will try it and I bet it will become a favorite “go to” recipe for you. It could become your signature recipe. Who doesn’t love cheesecake right, especially with chocolate. Enjoy!!! It will be “The Best You Ever Made.”
Ingredients for Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
Batter poured into pie shells and ready for the oven. You choose shortbread or chocolate crust.
1 1/2cupsmini-chocolate chips (semi sweet) for chocolate
7 to 9ouncesKey Lime Juice for key lime
1teaspoonKahlua (optional)
1 1/4teaspoonsvanilla
2Shortbread Keebler Pie Shells, or Graham for Key Lime – Chocolate Keebler Pie Shells if making Chocolate.
Method
Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees
Cream the cream cheese and sugar till fluffy
Add eggs 1 at a time, mixing well each time
Add vanilla and Kahlua; stir well
For Chocolate: Add Chocolate chips; stir wellFor Key Lime: Add key lime juice; stir well. It will be a thinner batter.
Pour into shells
Bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Check after 45 minutes for doneness. (Will crack on top). If browning too much before done cover with foil.
Cool and refrigerate; Serve cold topped with cool whip/whip cream. Garnish with strawberries, blueberries or fruit of your choice.
Notes
To Freeze: Wrap cooled cheesecakes tightly in plastic wrap and foil.To Serve if Frozen: Thaw in refrigerate – serve cold.Tidbit Tips: The top will crack so use cool whip to decorate.I love this recipe because it make 2 cheesecakes. Having one in the fridge is greatfor a last minute dessert. Enjoy!
Are you finding 2015 is flying by already? We had such a good time hosting lots of dinner parties at our new house during the Holidays. Nothing like having a party to get you up and going and taking care of things around the house right?
Here is a list of 5 things that this season of entertaining taught me.
#5. If you forget to plug-in the lights on your Christmas Village – probably no one but you noticed. I was so sad when I realized I had not plugged in the lights so that the ice skater on the frozen pond could go round and round in her figure eight path and that the lights on the trees, that flashed double time and could hipe you up, were not flashing. I learned it is more important to greet our guest with a warm welcome, let my light shine.
#4. You can fold your napkins without ironing them. Time was running late so I took a chance and folded the napkins without ironing and you know what they looked fine and no one noticed or at least no one said a thing. I learned to allow a little time to rest before our guest arrive so I am not so exhausted; better I am refreshed than the napkins are all starched and ironed.
#3. It is alright to mix up your table decorations – use what you have. I had a Christmas center piece and the plates were floral because we needed the sizes that came with that set of dishes. It was truly a confusing tablescape. I just told everyone it was a winter center piece with spring longings all round it. We all agreed we are already tired of winter even though it had just started. I learned to use what I have and don’t stress over not matching – who knows you may inspire someone at the party to do the same. Give them confidence to host a party without spending money on tablescapes.
#2. Your best thought out plans may be changed. We were hosting a dinner party on a Sunday night but when one of our dear friend’s mother passed away and the funeral was on Sunday, we changed our plans. Most of the guest wanted to attend the funeral. The only other time the group could meet was the Friday before. And of course I had to work that day and no way could I cook for the party. Everyone else was busy as well, so one couple picked up take out, I set the table on Thursday night and the party happened. It ended up being a great evening. But more importantly our friend was touched and blessed that we made the 10 hour round trip to be with her and her family. I learned to look for the unexpected when your plans don’t work out like you thought they would. The 10 hour car trip gave me lots of time to spend with a special girlfriend. We talked and talked and my husband had a relaxing time in the back seat reading and sleeping.
#1 Hospitality is a gift of love. If you have the gift of hospitality use it to bless others without expecting an invite in return. It robs you of the joy of hosting when you expect something in return. I learned I must always check my motive for entertaining.
Don’t be robbed of the Joy of Hospitality. Give the Gift out of Love for Others.
2014 taught me to lighten up, go with the flow and just do the best I can. The real lesson is that God is in control, not me, and if I walk the path He has for me there is Joy in all things.
Happy 2015– I hope you have many opportunities to bless others by Giving the Gift of Hospitality
Here’s praying all God’s Blessing for a Year of Good Health, Peace, Mercy and Joy!!!
Romans 12:12-13 NLT version
Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
