The Freebie Blogger

This some something my mother-in-law does every year. She will take one day and bake quite a few loaves of banana and zucchini bread. Once they are cool she will wrap them in wax paper and foil and place them in the freezer. So when she needs a gift, all she has to do is defrost and add a bow. These are especially great for teachers, neighbors, unexpected guests, and holiday party hostesses.

Banana Bread:
my recipe

1 3/4 C. All Purpose Flour,  2 t. Baking Powder,  1/4 t. Baking Soda,  1/2 t. Salt,  1/2 C. Brown Sugar,  1/4 C. White Sugar,  1/3 C. Butter (softened),  2 Eggs,  1 t. Vanilla Butter Nut (or you can just use vanilla),  1 1/2 C. Mashed Banana,  1/2 C. Chopped Walnuts,  1 t. Cinnamon,  1/2 t. Nutmeg (you could increase the nutmeg to a full teaspoon if you would like it more heavily spiced)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, white sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In a separate bowl, combine softened butter with brown sugar, then add eggs, mashed banana, vanilla butter nut, and walnuts. Combine both bowls (mixing together well) and put in an 8 X 4 greased loaf pan. Bake for one hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. Makes one loaf.

Zucchini Bread:
my mother-in-law’s recipe

4 Eggs,  2 C. Sugar,  1 C. Vegetable Oil,  3 1/2 C. Flour,  1 1/2 t. Baking Soda,  1 t. Baking Powder,  1 1/2 t. Salt, 1 t. Cinnamon,  1 t. Vanilla,  2 C. Grated Zucchini (peeled & large seeds discarded),  1 C. Raisins,  1 C. Chopped Nuts, 1/3 C. Sour Cream or Milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat eggs until light, then add sugar and oil. Combine dry ingredients in a second bowl. Slowly add the dry ingredients, zucchini and sour cream to the egg mixture. Stir in raisins, nuts, and vanilla. Bake in two greased and lightly floured loaf pans for about 55 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes, then turn out to cool. Makes two loaves. 

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