I’m standing in the middle of the kitchen, assessing the damage. As it often happens when you bake with a small child, it looks like the baking aisle of the grocery store has exploded around us.
But the sweet, spicy smell of cinnamon fills the kitchen, and I look over at Zoey. A flash of flour streaks across her tiny cheek and, as her eyes lock on mine, the batter-covered spoon that she is lifting to her mouth stops in mid-air. Her mouth hangs open in an “o”, knowing I’ve caught her. She has patiently waited while we mixed up all the ingredients for my grandmother’s zucchini bread, and it seems she just can’t wait one more minute.
Because she is 5, she diverts her gaze, most likely assuming if she acts like she wasn’t doing anything, I won’t notice that she was about to take a lick. I smile, thinking of my grandmother, which inevitably always happens when I bake.
While I associated my grandfather with a deck of cards, my grandmother was synonymous with flour, sugar, and Crisco. Visiting them as a child, I’d always hang out in the kitchen with her, hoping she’d let me help as she whipped up something decadent for dessert that night. She’d hand me the mixer or a spoon and let me mix up the batter or dough while she prepped baking pans or put liners in cupcake tins or started a batch of frosting. When I was done, I’d call her over to make sure I did it right, and there she’d be, sidling up next to me and scraping the batter off the edge of a bowl with her finger, extending it toward me so I could have a taste. Before trying it, I’d make sure my parents weren’t around so we could avoid the cautionary tale of what happens when you eat raw egg. “You only live once,” Grandma Bear would say, which was all the prompting I ever needed. The batter was always heavenly.
“Always cook with love… ” – Grandma Bear
I loved being part of those sweet moments with her . . .
Grandma Bear passed away two years ago, but my memories of her, laced with nostalgic sweetness and love, are still very much alive. And now, looking at Zoey, I decide to continue the tradition.
“Well, if you’re going to do it, you better do it right,” I say. I dip my finger into the thick batter and raise it to her lips. Her eyes dance as her tongue darts out and tastes the sweetness of the brown sugar, and she smiles. I think she knows, too, that nothing beats the intoxicating combination of creating something decadent and nourishing and getting to share it with someone you love. Of course, unlike my rebel grandmother, I haven’t put the raw eggs in yet . . .
* * *
Since we have to wait an hour for the bread to bake, we pass the time with and I share stories of Grandma Bear. Zoey only met her once—when she was about two years old—so the only way that her great-grandmother will be able to live on in Zoey’s heart is if I share the memories I have of my grandmother in my own heart.
Like my memories of her baking.
I tell Zoey how Grandma Bear would keep this zucchini bread in the refrigerator so it would be nice and chilled, and how she’d slice it up thick and spread the top so completely with butter it looked like frosting. Zoey insists we do that once the bread finishes baking. And although it is late, we stay up and and eat slices of this beloved bread slathered with sweet cream butter, and we both fall asleep smiling, our bellies full of homemade goodness and our hearts full of love.
* * *
The next morning, I’m awakened by Zoey climbing into my bed.
“I dreamt about Grandma Bear last night,” she whispers, curling up next to me. “She told me she made this recipe up for me, because zucchini and Zoey both start with Z. She also told me to tell you she said hi. Oh, and she said I could have some of the bread for breakfast, too.”
I kiss the top of her head and pull my sweet child closer. I send up a silent “hello” to my grandmother, who I’m sure is smiling down on us, happy to know she’s still very much alive in the minds and hearts of each and every one of us who loved her (and all of her amazing baked goods).
“Now let’s go get that bread,” I tell Zoey.
“Don’t forget the butter!” she adds.
Because just like Grandma Bear, Zoey has learned that butter—and love—makes everything better.
* * *
Grandma Bear’s Zucchini Bread
2 cups peeled, grated zucchini
3 large eggs
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 teaspoons vanilla
After squeezing out the excess water from the zucchini, combine above ingredients and mix well. Then add the following 5 ingredients, which have been blended together:
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 cups flower
3 teaspoons cinnamon
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Pour into 2 greased loaf pans and bake 1 hour at 350 degrees. Grandma Bear always used to bake hers in 3 small used and cleaned out metal coffee cans. I highly suggest this; there is something so delightful and whimsical about eating a round piece of bread.
*Although the recipe doesn’t call for chocolate chips, our loaves of bread ended up with the sweet addition. Zoey recommends Ghiradelli Mini Semi-Chocolate chips. Note that if you are baking with a child, most of the chips will end up in their mouth instead of the bread, so you might want to purchase two bags.
**In our extensive testing and tasting of this recipe, Zoey has come to the conclusion that the only acceptable way to eat it is with a large slathering of butter that is almost as thick as the bread itself.
I loved the story of your grandma. I have a granddaughter that is 4 years old and I love to bake with her. I hope she remembers those moments as you do with your grandma. The zucchini bread sounds lovely.
My daughter loves to bake with my mother, just as I do. I’m so grateful we have that tradition to pass down! We will have to try this one together!
I LOVE zucchini bread, and I have met so many people who have never even tried it! Thank you for sharing, you’ve reminded me that I need to make some again!
this is so beautiful!!! Grandmothers are the best! Def trying this recipe!
Grandmas are the best!! One of my fondest memories is a good friend bringing her homemade zucchini bread, made from HER grandma’s recipe! There really is something magical about making a family member’s recipe, passed down from generations!
As a child, my mother always made zucchini bread. It was one of my favorites!
I love making baking with vegetables in there. At least that way I can sneak some veggies into them! This looks like a great recipe.
Those sneaky little vegetables 🙂 It is pretty yummy – just don’t forget the butter!
Oh yum!!! I love Zucchini bread and premtending it’s healthy 😉
You are such a gifted writer. I felt like I was right there cooking with you. I’m a huge fan of zucchini bread too!
This looks amazing!! And it doesn’t seem too difficult because bread and I just don’t seem to go well together when it comes to baking!! I am going to give this a try!!
I loved hearing about your sweet grandma. It reminds me of my childhood with my grandma! Plus, this recipe looks so delicious!
What a sweet story 🙂 This recipe looks like it’s not all that complicated to make! I want to try it! <3
Zucchini bread is my absolutely favorite and so easy to make! I’m excited to try your recipe
Your post was beautiful, your daughter’s dream had me crying sweet tears. I can’t wait to make this bread either, will pin for later when my tears dry up!! Thanks for sharing!
I LOVE zucchini bread! What great memories you are making with your daughter!
LOVE zucchini bread so yummy…your story made it even more special
Awww! This story brought the biggest smile to my face! Also, zucchini bread is sooooo tasty. I think I should bake a loaf soon!
My family loves zucchini, I m looking forward to trying your recipe!
aw, I love this story! and I’ve never eaten zucchini bread, but I think I’ll have to give this a try!
x Kate
http://www.thegoldsister.com
I love reading the story behind the recipe – and it made me smile because I just got off the phone with my grandma, who taught me much of what I know about cooking! I’m always looking for new ways to use zucchini from my garden in the summer, so I’m bookmarking this for a few months from now!
i’m not going to lie, zucchini bread has never appealed to me but youve made it sound yummy!