Nut Diamonds

The name implies that these are going to be diamond shaped, however because I cut mine wrong they were triangle shaped instead. There's no shame in having nut triangles, so cut them however you like!

Crust:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter softened

3/4 cup sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. salt

3 cups all purpose flour

Topping:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut up

1 1/3 cups packed light brown sugar

2/3 cup honey

1/2 cup heavy cream

3 cups chopped pecans and cashews

Heat oven to 350. Line a 15 by 10 by 1 inch jelly roll pan with foil, extending over sides.

For crust, in bowl beat butter, sugar, egg, vanilla and salt 2 minutes. Beat in flour. With floured hands, press dough into pan. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes (edges brown slightly)

For topping, in saucepan, melt butter, sugar and honey. then boil 5 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat, stir in cream and nuts. Pour filling over crust. Bake in 350 oven 25 minutes until bubbly. Let cool in pan. Lift from pan using foil. Now somehow you cut them into a diagonal shape, but I don't understand how. It says "cut diagonal line lengthwise from opposite corners through center then cut diagonally across strips at 2 inch intervals above and below first diagonal." Yeah, whatever. Just cut them into triangles and enjoy!

Banana Bread

1 cup sugar (I use 1/2 cup white & 1/2 cup brown)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup shortening
3 bananas mashed
2 eggs well beaten
1 tsp baking soda
1 TB hot water
2 cups flour
1/2 cup nuts (chopped) - optional
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven 350 degrees.

Cream sugar, salt & shortening well. Add mashed bananas, beaten eggs & soda dissolved in hot water. Add flour until mixed. Add nuts last. Pour into greased baking dish. I find this recipe bakes better in a casserole bake dish or 9 x 11 dish than in a loaf pan. Loaf pan (at least 40 min) Casserole dish (30 min) 9 x 11 dish (20 min). Just check with a toothpick.

Mom's Date Nut Bread

Preheat oven 325 degrees. This recipe makes two loaves.

2 TB shortening
4 cups flour
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 TB vanilla
2 eggs
Base mixture:
2 tsp baking soda
1 cup pecans
1 cup dates (chopped)
2 cups boiling water

Combine dates, nuts & soda, then cover with boiling water. Let stand until cool.

Beat together sugar & eggs. Add vanilla. Melt shortening, then add to sugar & eggs. Add flour alternating with date nut mixture until all is mixed. Stir well, place in greased loaf pans.

Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes (test with toothpick)