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: