Grandma Taylor’s Banana Bread

There are some memories that can be unlocked with a scent, and for me that is Banana Bread.  Anytime I see a bunch of ripe bananas I know I am just a few ingredients away from my childhood.  For as long back as I can remember, whenever I went to my Grandma Taylor’s house we would bake, sew, and drink far too much Sanka.  This began my love of cooking and also enabled me to be able to thread a bobbin on a Singer Sewing Machine before I started kindergarten.  It wasn’t until years later, that my mother was clued in on my apparent stunted growth due to persistent and excessive intake of caffeine, another love in my life. 

One of our favorite things to make was banana bread.  My grandmother was quite well known for always having a loaf of banana bread with her.  Those shiny tin foiled bundles of happiness sat on her front seat just waiting to add joy to someone’s day.  Whenever she saw anyone who looked like they were in need of a little happiness she joyously handed them a loaf. It didn’t matter if she knew you her whole life or just met you for the first time if she thought you needed a smile a banana bread was coming your way.  Years later when she passed, I thought it only fitting to make mini banana bread loafs as a celebration of her life, and they brought the same smiles to everyone’s faces I remembered as a child, especially when they found out it was her recipe.    

This recipe is very forgiving as there is no need to separate ingredients.  As I got older, I realized that this was most likely why it was one of the first recipes I was taught.  So what are you waiting for?  Pre-heat your oven, put your apron on and in no time the aroma of this bread will fill you and your home with comfort and wrap you in the tight hug of Grandma Taylor.