HOME BAKERY
223 1st St. E
Independence, Iowa
Every community has had their own bakery at one time or another. Independence was no exception.
The Home Bakery, was located on 1st St. E. In 1931 the bakery was owned by Milo Naxera who sold to Rose Brothers of Chicago in 1931. In 1932 Pete Gaylor became the owner and later the same year the bakery was purchased by Charles Jones.
In 1955 there was a partnership between Jones and Jerry Cain. Several times it was remodeled with newer ovens and mixing equipment. Wedding and birthday cakes, pastries, cookies, pies, rolls and bread whetted the palate while you were standing in line for the ladies to sack up your special order. In 1965 the ad from the Centennial Edition of the Bulletin-Journal stated that the owners were Vada & Gerald Younker. Many people remember the early morning aroma coming down the alley before the bakery was opened for the day. During the late 1960’s price of sugar kept going up and finally forced the Home Bakery to close. Everyone was very sad to see the familiar face in the community close. The building was then torn down to make room for the expansion of the Security State Bank.
Many of the recipes still survive today in private collections. One such recipe is:
| Banana Oatmeal Cookies | |
|---|---|
| 1 ½ C flour | ½ tsp. Salt |
| 1 C sugar | ¼ tsp. Soda |
| 1 tsp. Cinnamon | ¼ tsp. Nutmeg |
| ¾ C shortening | ¾ C quick oatmeal |
| 1 C mashed bananas | 1 eggnuts & raisins to suit |
Sift flour, sugar, salt & soda, spices together. Cut in shortening. Add banana, egg, oatmeal (nuts & raisins if wanted) Stir well after each addition. Drop by Tbsp. On greased cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degree about 15 min. Makes 3 ½ dozen. Good eating!!!