Let’s get into this week’s bake
The First Bake That Felt Like Me
by Chrissy
It had been on my mind for weeks, that craving for banana bread. After a few failed tries and phone calls to my mom and aunt, nothing seemed to work. Almost defeated, I decided to try again, this time on my own. Scared but determined, I waited for my bananas to get super ripe (the more questionable they look, the better they are. I promise, lol).
From the moment I started, the process felt different. I didn’t realize it then, but it was the beginning of my first bake that truly felt like me. As I creamed the butter and sugar, added the eggs, mashed banana, and spices, it was as if pieces of myself were being folded into the batter.
I whispered encouragement to myself the whole way through — “I’ll get this.” My mom once told me, watch the texture.The batter should fall slowly from the spatula, not too thick, not too runny. So I added the flour little by little until it felt just right. I poured it into a greased loaf pan and placed it in the oven, then sat right on the floor and watched it rise, all FIFTY minutes of it. You could say I was committed, lol.
When the timer went off, I could hardly wait. The golden-brown top, the signature crack along the center — it came out just as I’d hoped. That day, I learned patience. But more than that, I found a quiet confidence.
This banana bread became more than a recipe. It was the moment I realized I wasn’t just baking to get it right, I was baking to find myself. I started to understand how to use flavors from Grenada, how to trust my instincts, and how to express what I felt through food.
Now, every time I bake my banana bread for friends or family, I’m reminded of that girl who once just wanted to belong in her own kitchen. Baking became my way of listening — to my hands, my heart, and to the parts of me that were still rising.
A Sweet Note
Your first bake might not go as planned. Maybe not even the second. But there’s beauty in trying again — because with every attempt, you get closer to your own recipe, your own rhythm, and your own sweet, soulful rise.
If you’re looking for a place to start, try my Banana Bread Recipe — the bake that first felt like me.
Cinnamon Roll Bites
Ingredients
Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour ¼ cup if needed
- 1 packet 2¼ tsp instant yeast
- 1 cup warm milk about 110°F
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 tsp salt
Coating
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
Instructions
Activate Yeast (if not instant):
- Warm the milk and dissolve the sugar. Stir in yeast and let sit for 5–10 minutes, until foamy and active.
Make the Dough:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, melted butter, and salt. Gradually add the flour until a soft dough forms.
- Knead for 8–10 minutes (by hand or mixer) until smooth and elastic. Add flour as needed — the dough should feel soft and slightly tacky, but not sticky.
First Rise:
- Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Make the Cinnamon-Sugar Mixture:
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Set aside — you’ll use this later when coating the dough bites.
Shape the Bites:
- Punch down the dough and knead for 30 seconds to release air.
- Divide into 6 smaller pieces. Roll each piece into a small log, then slice into bite-sized pieces (about 1 inch thick).
- Place pieces in a large bowl, pour in half of the melted butter, and toss gently.
- Sprinkle the prepared cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the dough and toss to coat.
Preheat Oven:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Second Rise:
- Arrange bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in a greased baking dish. Cover and let rise for 20–25 minutes, until puffy.
Bake:
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until golden brown and baked through.
Cinnamon-Sugar Coating:
- While still warm, drizzle the remaining melted butter over the bites and toss with any remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated.
Notes
- Snack size: The total amount of bites will vary based on sizes.
- Spice variation: Add a pinch of mixed spice for extra warmth.
- Make-ahead: Dough can be chilled overnight after the first rise. Bring to room temp before shaping.
Before the Bake
Part 1: Getting Dough Texture Right(and How To Fix It)
Getting your dough texture right is key to good bread — and most times, the fix is simpler than you think
Too sticky? Add a little flour.
Too dry? A touch of liquid.
Too tough? Rest it.
Small adjustments make all the difference
