CHRISTMAS BANANA BREAD
1 / 2 cup butter , softened 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 / 4 teaspoon salt 1 1 / 4 cups mashed bananas 1 / 2 cup walnuts 1 / 2 cup chocolate chips 1 / 4 cup chopped maraschino cherries 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a mixing bowl , cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy . Add eggs one at a time , mixing well after each addition .
Below : Examples of Karol Morris ’ creations for her online baking and pastry arts courses from the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts .
Submitted photos
Combine flour , baking soda and salt ; gradually add to creamed mixture . Stir in bananas until combined . Add walnuts , chocolate chips and cherries ; add vanilla . Pour into a greased 9x5x3 loaf pan . Bake in preheated 350-degree oven for 70-80 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean . Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to wire rack .
FRUIT CAKE COOKIES
Cream : 3 / 4 cup light brown sugar 1 / 4 cup butter 2 eggs , one at a time
Sift : 1 1 / 2 cup all-purpose flour 1 / 2 teaspoon cinnamon 1 / 2 teaspoon nutmeg 1 / 4 teaspoon salt 1 / 2 teaspoon baking soda
Chop : 1 / 2 pound candied cherries 1 / 2 pound candied pineapple 1 / 2 pound chopped dates 3 cups coarsely chopped pecans
Add half of the flour mixture to creamed mix , then add 1 1 / 2 tablespoon buttermilk . Add remaining flour to coat fruit mixture and gently combine everything together . Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 3 tablespoons brandy or 1 teaspoon brandy extract .
Chill dough for at least 30 minutes . Add by tablespoon cookie scoop onto parchment-lined baking sheet . Bake in a preheated 300-degree oven for 20-25 minutes . www . meridianstar . com
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