Two well-worn recipes in my family's book are spattered with grease and old dough. I smile as I turn the crinkled, stiff pages and remember Mom and Grandma's instructions with regard to Zucchini Bread and Nut Cakes. Of course, the zucchini came from our garden, and we always had so many of them that we took the extra ones to school, to church and to the neighbors down the street. We baked and baked in the kitchen, freezing extra bread for later in the year. The smell of freshly baked zucchini bread brings back fond memories.

The Nut Cakes recipe is from my husband's side of the family (you are what you eat... HA!) They require special mini muffin tins in which to bake them. Small and delicate, like her hands, they are simply and precisely made. Try not to gobble them down too quickly! Nut cakes are sinfully delicious.

Ingredients:

2 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

2 cups peeled and grated zucchini

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups sugar

3 teaspoons vanilla extract

3/4 teaspoons baking powder

3 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 cups chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions for Zucchini Bread:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees

Combine eggs, oil, and zucchini in small bowl. Set aside. In large bowl, combine dry ingredients. Stir in egg mixture.

Pour into 2 greased/floured bread pans.

Bake for 1 hour

Enjoy the warm deliciousness of the homemade zucchini bread - or give a loaf as a gift!

Ingredients:

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup flour

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped nuts (I prefer pecans)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Combine all ingredients

Take mini muffin tins and place dot of margarine in each cup before spooning batter in (fill no more than 3/4 full)

Bake for 12 minutes

If desired, combine 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 1/4 cup warm water to make a glaze and drizzle over the top of the nut cakes.

Baking zucchini bread and/or nut cakes is a warm way to spend a cool afternoon. If you have children, they'll enjoy helping you out in the kitchen and its a great way to spend some quality time together. Share the wealth when you're done! Walk down the street and brighten your neighbor's day with a basket of mini cakes and a smile. Nothing says love like homebaked goodness.