A Delicious Treat (or two!)

I was in somewhat of a baking mood this past weekend, which hasn't happened since I've been home from China.  We had a relatively slow weekend and so I had time to do it and just got a bee in my bonnet to make some yums for the family to eat.

We used to have an overabundance of bananas because I always bought too many and they'd ripen before we could eat them.  I learned from my friend Leigh Ann that you can freeze bananas and use them in banana bread!  WHAT?  This happens a lot to me...I learn little tips and tricks I didn't know because that's what happens when you lose your mom when you are on the brink of adulthood!  So I have a freezer full of bananas just waiting to be used.  This time, I used fresh bananas that were ripe. 

I do love my banana bread!  It's so easy to make and I always have the ingredients on hand (which is a big plus).  Without further ado...

1/4 cup butter, softened (not melted)

1 cup white sugar

1 egg

3 ripe bananas, mashed

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Nuts to taste (I use pecans, but you can use walnuts too) OPTIONAL

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease an 8x4 inch loaf pan. I used to grease and flour, but greasing seems to work fine.
2. In a bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt.  In a separate bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Beat in the egg and mashed bananas. Finally, mix in flour, baking soda and salt combination. Pour into loaf pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour. Depending on your oven, I start with 45 minutes and then check for done-ness in the middle.  You can tell when it's getting there when the top begins to brown and crack.  If it gets done on the top too quickly, decrease heat slightly.  

Now, the second thing I made this weekend was a throw back to my childhood days.  My mom used to fix Fruit Pizza and I loved it.  The combination of the cream cheese and sugar mixture with the sugar cookie crust.  Yes, please!

I pulled out the yellowed recipe card and all I had to do was send Steve to the store for some kiwi.  I already had the other fruit.

This one is super easy.

8oz of cream cheese, softened

1 1/3 cup white sugar

1 large roll of refrigerated sugar cookie dough

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Bananas

Kiwi

Strawberries

Other Fruit (my mom's recipe only calls for those three fruits, but you can use grapes, blueberries, or any other fruit that strikes your fancy).

Instructions

1. Press cookie down into round pizza shape and cook as instructed on package.  Let cool completely.
2. Mix together sugar, vanilla and cream cheese.  Pour or spread over crust.
3. Slice fruit and arrange on top.
4. Refrigerate when not in use.

Yummy!  There's nothing like it!  It truly takes me back to my childhood!  It's good stuff y'all!  Enjoy!