I’ve been meaning to do this for weeks.

How long? Well, I wanted to make it before my daughter went away to college - but I finally did it the night before school started for the two high schoolers here at home.

I told you way back in June that I’m not much of a baker…but I had intended to try more this year.

And this isn’t exactly the most challenging thing, using a mix and following the directions on the box.

We make this Quick Bread a lot - but it’s usually Kathy who does it.

The banana one is the one we do most - but I think we’ve done a pumpkin one - the girls aren’t huge breakfast eaters and this is at least something as opposed to nothing, and it’s easy enough for them to slice a couple of pieces off in the morning.

When I saw the Cinnamon Swirl in the store, I thought that would be a good one to try - and a fun one to make for my first one.

The mix was a little lumpier than I felt like it should have been, but everything worked out pretty well - there was a general bread mix, a cinnamon flavoring mix (as you can see at right it goes on top but also in the middle), and then a glaze to put on the top.

The rise in the oven was kind of amazing - I’ve never cooked something like that where it changed form so much.

If I had to do it again (and I will), I would try to more evenly space out the cinnamon mix - you can see at right it kind of didn’t cover the top…and then when the bread rose it kind of slid down the sides and left little bald patches on top.

I also think I could have done a better job with the glazing on top.

BUT, and this is the most important part - it tasted great. Everyone gave it good reviews. (I even had a slice to try it out because it looked so good - usually I just leave the bread to everyone else to eat.)

It’s good to know I can do this - it’s something I’ve avoided when Kathy was traveling for work.

I’ll definitely be making it again…and maybe I’ll even try my hand at some of the other flavors.