Banana Cake
Post date: Aug 24, 2013 3:52:47 AM
One of my favorite recipes growing up. Basically it is like banana bread with a delicious butter cream icing on top.
Ease of recipe: 2 out of 5
Messiness factor: 2 out of 5
Time to prepare: 15 minutes (5 minutes for icing)
Time to cook: 30-35 minutes for cake
Ingredients:
Cake:
2 t lemon juice
2/3 c milk
2 1/2 c flour
1 2/3 c sugar
1 1/4 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
2/3 c shortening
2/3 c mashed bananas, well ripe (typically 2 large or 3 small)
2 eggs
2/3 c walnuts
Icing:
8 T butter, softened
1 lb confectioners sugar (powdered sugar)
1/4 c light cream
1 1/2 c vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 ºF
Cake Directions:
Prepare 9x13" pan by greasing with shortening and coating in flour.
Add lemon juice in measuring cup. Add milk and let sit.
In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Add shortening, bananas, and sour milk. Mix until all flour is dampened.
Mix in eggs.
Add in walnuts.
Bake for approximately 30 to 35 minutes. Check cake using a toothpick.
Icing Directions:
Cream butter and add in half of the sugar, blending well.
Add in half of the cream and all of the vanilla.
Gradually blend in remaining sugar.
Slowly add cream until frosting is spreadable.
Do NOT add icing to the cake until it has cooled to room temperature.
Cooking advice:
This recipe is relatively forgiving. I have deviated from the measurements some and been okay on the outcome. I have used everything from skim to 2% milk and light cream to heavy whipping cream. 2% milk and light cream seem to work best.
Last time I prepared the cake, I took it out after about 35 minutes; it probably needed to be removed after about 30 minutes. It wasn't too dry and the frosting definitely covered the modest dryness issue I had.
I sometimes add some imitation banana flavor; however I do not believe it adds much to the overall flavor already present. In the future I will probably avoid using it.
Coloring the frosting with food coloring is a fun, simple way to personalize this cake; otherwise it will be plain white frosting.
Prepared on August 21, 2013: