Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting




Well the monster blizzard came and buried us under 30 inches of snow....but at this point who is counting. I have not seen this much snow since I was living on Long Island about 30 years ago. I didn't like it then and I don't like it now! But I did promise my son that he and I and my husband will go outside with him and have a snowball fight and that does sound like fun. Don't think that will happen until tomorrow though. I have my hands full right now just trying to take out my little chihuahua so she can do her business. I have to clear a path for the poor baby.....You can barely even see the cars out there. Wonder when school will start back up. I have a feeling since they are calling for more snow, a light one though on Tueday, that there won't even be school this week. One thing I can promise you though is that you will never, ever hear me complain about the heat during the summer. No way......I will welcome it!!! Now on to the recipe for this delicious banana cake!




I've made several banana cakes in the past, one in particular, that goes directly from the oven, once it's finished baking to the freezer and not many can rival that cake. This comes close. It is really good with a strong banana flavor and using egg whites for a fluffy, lighter texture. I highly recommend this if you love your banana cake! I found this recipe in the latest issue of Country Magazine....no I am not a country girl by any stretch of the imagination but I happen to like the pictures in the magazine. I'm leaving the country living to our friend Ree, Pioneer Woman....she is a real life city girl, gone country. Do any of you have her cookbook? I have it and love it!!! Anyhow, give this cake a try if you like bananas, it is worth the extra effort!





2/3 cup shortening


1 1/2 cups sugar


2 eggs, separated


2 cups mashed bananas (approximately 4 medium)


1 cup milk


3 cups all purpose flour


1 1/4 tsp. baking powder


1 1/4 tsp. baking soda


1/2 tsp. salt





Cream Cheese Frosting (do NOT omit this...it's great on the cake)


1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened


1/4 cup butter, softened


4 cups confectioners' sugar


1 tsp. vanilla


dash salt





In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add bananas and milk; mix until just combined. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add to the creamed mixture; beat for 2 minutes.


In another bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Fold into batter. Pour into a greased 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 for 30 - 35 minutes (mine took closer to 45 minutes) or until toothpick in center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.


In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and salt; beat until smooth. Spread over cake. Store in the refrigerator.


Comments

George Gaston said…
Debbie, this cake really sounds delicious. But then again, I usually go bananas when a cake has a good cream cheese icing like yours.

Great recipe, thanks...
Chef Aimee said…
You guys sure got a whallop! Here on Long Island north shore, we got nada! I love banana cake and this is a great recipe for a wintry weekend! Cheers!
Mary Bergfeld said…
This sounds particularly lovely, Debbie. I find such treats each time I come here and I'm afraid I'll miss something. I've remedied that by becoming a follower. Have a great day and enjoy that snowball fight.
Diana's Cocina said…
This sounds yummy =o Stay warm!!
I got Ree's cookbook for Christmas and I love it too!

Texas fudge cake yesterday and banana cake today.... you're killing my diet here Debbie! (but I still love ya...lol)
Sook said…
Oh I love cream cheese frosting!
Jenn said…
Wow, 30 inches of snow!! Well it's a good thing you treated yourself to a tasty looking cake.
tamilyn said…
I always seem to make banana bread. I need to branch out.

Sorry about the snow, but being from MN-we have had our wallops over the 43 years I have been here :)
Joanne said…
Ree is one of my many food muses. Everything I have made of hers has absolutely blown me away.

This cake sounds delicious! I love banana flavored desserts.

All of that snow is intense! We definitely have not gotten that much here in NY. And I consider that lucky...but then again, we also never get snow days here so then what's the point of snow?
megan said…
banana cake sounds so good. perfect for a snowy day :)

can't believe how much snow you got!
Melissa said…
I love banana cakes. And am a huge sucker for cream cheese frosting...I could probably eat it alone. Heh.

Stay warm! :-)
Kerstin said…
I hope the snow gets better soon! Love this cake and the cream cheese frosting sounds addicting!
teresa said…
oh my gosh, that cake looks amazing! we're dealing with the snow storm too, it's nuts! stay warm out there!
Nina said…
Debbie this looks wonderful.Loved it:)
Reeni said…
I love, love, love banana cake! Especially with cream cheese frosting. This would comfort me for sure in all that snow.
Katy ~ said…
Bookmarked! Been looking for a recommended banana cake from a trusted friend. Can't wait to try it!
Pamela said…
Boy...you guys really got walloped, huh? We didn't get anything, and I was sorta let down. But, we might get a lot on Tuesday. I know the boys will love it. Anyway, the cake looks so good!
La Bella Cooks said…
I love banana desserts so this is definitely a must try for me. I can't believe all the snow you are getting and I hope that snowball fight is a blast. Enjoy!
Nutmeg Nanny said…
I love banana cake! I'm always looking for some sort of recipe that uses my old bananas. I cannot make a decent banana bread to save my life. Sorry to hear about all that snow...it has been a weird winter. You guys are getting hammered and in NY we are barely getting anything...great now I probably jinxed it....haha.
Jennifer said…
My husband loves Banannas and I cant wait to make this cake!
Pam said…
I am loving this recipe. Banana cake is my new favorite and I am sure the cream cheese frosting makes it extra special.
Finla said…
I think i will start licking that dleicous frosting first. Cake looks so yumm.
Unknown said…
Hope the weather starts to improve soon!! Love the cake!
The Blonde Duck said…
This looks so warm and comforting!
Julie said…
Yum...I think my hubby would love this!
noble pig said…
This would go over big at my house!!
Barbara GF said…
I love banana cake, Debbie, especially with cream cheese icing. Yours looks divine! You need something like this to weather the snow. :-)
Love the cream cheese and teh frosting... sounds GREAT
Justin said…
30 inches?! i totally love cream cheese in any desserts
Ingrid_3Bs said…
Well, you know that like yourself I'm a huge fan of all things banana so, it won't be any surprise to hear that I'm printing out this recipe. It's icing on the cake that Katy just made this one too!
~ingrid