Growing up the Christmas season was huge for my mom. She always loved how cheerful and fun the holiday season is in the United States compared to what she grew up with in Prague. She loved the decorations, bright lights, a big real Christmas tree with memorable ornaments, stockings filled to the brim, tons of presents under the tree, decadent Christmas cookies, a big family dinner on Christmas Eve with the whole family, and Christmas Day with my dad, and sister opening presents and playing with our new loot all day at home.
My mom's favorite thing to give to friends and family was her Banana Nut Bread. She would always go overboard and make dozens of loaves of her amazing banana nut bread. She would make a loaf for anyone with an appetite. Here is her recipe for anyone who has missed it over the years. It is also the same banana bread I make for anyone who will take a loaf!
Lenka’s Famous Banana Bread
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
2 tbsp butter
1 egg
¾ cup milk
2 mashed bananas
3 cups flour
3 ½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
¾ cup chopped nuts (optional)
2 tsp cinnamon (this is Vera’s version/add-in)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix sugar, butter, and egg thoroughly then add milk and bananas and mix.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
Add mixtures together and stir until moistened.
Add optional nuts.
Butter and flour 1 big loaf pan or 3 small ones.
Bake for 1 hour or until the toothpick comes out clean.
Note: I have made this with alternate milks and it still comes out delicious, as well as a 1-for-1 gluten-free flour. I LOVE this with Kamut flour, just use about ¼ cup less.
Enjoy! Let me know if you make a loaf!