There is one thing my toddler loves more than even pizza night and that my friends is my Nana’s Banana Bread. With Hallmark Christmas movies officially on repeat, I thought it was the best time to share this recipe from my family to yours. Not all banana breads are alike. Some are very banana forward. Some lean more cinnamon sugar toast. And some, like this one, taste like Thanksgiving morning with a cup of hot coffee.

My Nana wrote down this recipe for me and on it she noted when she would enjoy this treat. My Nana said that after she would get breakfast made for her three children and the house clean, she would meet her neighbors around 10 am. The kids would play, they would enjoy this banana bread, and have their mom therapy sessions talking about raising children. It was such a sweet note to read because it reminds me that each generation is all the same. I’m very close with my grandmothers, but felt even more so after thinking that my Nana too once worried about potty training and if she was “doing it all right.” My nana was a pediatric nurse and I still don’t know how she did all that and raised three wonderful kids, but she did. And it gives me encouragement to know that even on the hard days, we as women ARE doing a fabulous job. I all too often can look at older women I admire and think, “Did they worry as I do? Am I doing an okay job?” I wanted to share that little note from my Nana because if it comforted me, I hope it too comforts you. PLUS, what is more comforting than a warm slice of banana bread with a cup of coffee?

Maxi calls this banana bread “Nana cake” because she knows it is my Nana’s recipe and she craves it more often than she craves birthday cake. 6 a.m. She’ll ask, “Mama, can I have Nana cake?” I’ll be rocking her to sleep and she’ll look up and say, “Nana cake?” with a mischievous grin. Try this recipe this week and let me know if your little one craves it as much as mine!

Ingredients:

• 2 Bananas Mashed
• 1 Cup Shortening
• 1 Cup Sugar
• 2 Beaten Eggs
• 2 Cups Flour
• 1 TSP. Baking Soda
• 1/4 TSP. Salt
• 1/2 Cup Chopped Nuts {or you can skip for a toddler!}

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix together all ingredients, adding the bananas and nuts last. Pour into a loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour at 375.

We switched Maxi to her big girl bed last night and she did absolutely amazing! I was so nervous, but she had been asking for a regular bed and I think her sometimes napping in our bed helped her understand she can’t get out, etc. So I think this afternoon after MDO will call for some Nana Cake to celebrate!