Grandma's Favorties

Below I have shared some of the favorties from my childhood...I grew up watching my Mom and Grandmothers make these as far back as I can remember.  I hope you enjoy these as much as my brother and sisters, and now my kids do/did! 

Banana Nut Bread
1/2 cup butter, at room temp
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups flour
1 tsp soda
1/2 cup nuts, chopped
4 large bananas, mashed
Cream butter and sugar together until smooth.  Add eggs mix until fluffy.  Sift in flour, salt, and soda.  Add gradually to creamed mixture.  Add nuts and bananas, mix well.  Pour into a greased loaf pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes.  Cooking time usually exceeds 60 minutes.
*keeps well if tightly wrapped in foil and refrigerated for several weeks*

Sugar Spiced Pecans
1 cup sugar
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup water
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups pecan halves
Combine sugar, salt, cinnamon, and water.  Cook until syrup spins small thread, usually takes about 5 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Add vanilla and nuts.  Stir gently untill syrup crystallizes.  Pour out on greased baking pan and seperate nuts.

Surprise Cheese Balls
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tsp paprika
2 cups sharp cheddar, grated
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
green olives
cocktail sausages (little smokies), cut into 3rds
Mix butter, paprika, cheese, and flour until dough is formed.  Chill 15 to 20 minutes.  Pinch off 1 Tbsp dough and roll around either a olive or sausage until dough is gone.  Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.
*these are a staple for all McClure get-togethers*  ;)

Date-Nut Pinwheels
2-1/4 cups pitted dates, cut up
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup shortening
2 cups brown sugar
3 eggs, well beaten
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
Combine dates, sugar, and water.  Cook over low heat until thick, usually about 10 minutes.  Add nuts and set aside to cool.  Beat shortening with spoon until creamy, add brown sugar a little at a time creaming after each addition.  Add eggs and mix well.  Combine flour, salt and soda and add to shortening mixture and mix thouroughly.  Chill.  Divide dough into 3 equal parts.  Roll each part into a rectagle to about 1/4 inch thickness.  Spread 1/3 date mixture over dough, rollup like cinnamon or jelly rolls.  Chill.  Cut off in 1/4 inch slices and bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
*My Nanny made these for us every Christmas until she passed away a few years ago, now my Grandmother and Mom make them for us and my kids...just another staple in the McClure households*