Walnut Bread, Pineapple Brownies and Pão de Ló

I don't know about you, but I have been craving sweets like crazy, lately...!!! I love baking, and when times are busy (when are they not busy...??!!!), I fall back to fast, time-tested, family favorites!! I have, at one point or another, published these recipes, but I thought I would bring them back for those who may have missed them. Trust me, they are truly delicious, and take so little time to whip up!! A funny story happened shortly after I published one of my recipes... One day, while visiting a local antiques show, a woman stopped me in my tracks, pointed at me and said "Pineapple Brownies!!!".  I nodded and said, yes, that was me... She quickly called her husband and proceeded to tell him that I had been the one who had shared the pineapple brownies recipe. To my complete surprise, he placed his hands around my shoulders, leaned over and gave me a kiss on the cheek!! I still giggle when I think about it!!

YUMMIEST WALNUT BREAD EVER

2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1 cup milk

1 egg

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts (I just place a handful of walnuts in a sandwich bag and whack it with a rolling pin!)

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all the ingredients until blended. Pour batter onto a greased and floured loaf pan and bake for about 1 hour or until inserted toothpick comes out dry. Remove from pan and cool on wire rack. Yummy!!

PINEAPPLE BROWNIES

1 3/4 cups flour

1 3/4 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple (with juice)

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Pour onto greased brownie pan. Bake at 350 F for about 25 minutes. When cool, frost with powdered sugar or cream cheese icing. For extra flavor, add a small amount of pineapple juice to icing.

PÃO DE LÓ

(a portuguese recipe)

4 large eggs

same weight in sugar (about 1 cup)

same weight in flour (about 1 cup)

1 tablespoon baking powder

Separate egg yolks from whites. Beat yolks with sugar until creamy in consistency and color. Add flour and baking powder. Beat egg whites until they peak, then gently fold into the mixture (add a little bit first, as the mixture might be thick, then add the rest). Cook in greased bundt pan at 350 F for about 25 minutes. Enjoy!