Family Fun

Easy Banana Cake: Family Heirloom Recipe

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No matter how many times we bake together, it never ceases to be fun. I love that both of my children enjoy the kitchen and want to learn. And I’m learning that it’s totally worth the extra time and stickiness to have the help of the Princess Chef and her brother; these are memories far sweeter than any confection we cook up.

Today’s recipe is a favorite from my childhood. My grandmother (“Mama”) always made this BANANA CAKE and her homemade frosting for my birthday; nothing tastes better on a hot summer day!

Apparently my little ones agree with me, as they wanted one for our New Years Eve Family PJ Party. I hope if you try it, you’ll enjoy it as we did…especially if you have awesome helpers like I did! Here’s how we made it:

According to Princess Chef, the first step is the right outfit: hair up, hands cleaned, and apron on. I have to agree; not only is it practical, it’s fun to get ready together.

Next, you pull out all of ingredients so that it’s easy to dump them in. You really do want to have it all there, and ready to go. Especially on the frosting!
  • 2 1/2 c flour
  • 1 2/3 c sugar
  • 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2/3 c butter (or shortening)
  • 2/3 c milk
  • 1 tsp vinegar
  • 1 1/2 c mashed bananas (3-5 overripe ones…depending on size)
  • 2 unbeaten eggs

Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large mixing bowl. Next, cream in the butter. Add your “sour milk” (the vinegar and milk mixed together). Note: buttermilk may be subbed for sour milk, but we actually think this way is the best. Next, mix in the bananas well. At the end, mix in 2 eggs that you have not already beaten.

After it’s all mixed well, pour the batter into a lightly greased 13×9 glass baking dish.
Put in preheated oven and bake at 350 for 35 minutes.

As it’s baking, you can go ahead and whip up the frosting.

It’s a simple recipe, and QUITE delicious!
  • 2 c confectioners sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 c soft butter (one stick)
  • 1 egg yolk (we had fun learning how to separate the yolk from the whites!)
  • Lastly, have your Quality Control Team make sure it’s all going to taste good 馃槈
And VOILA! You have an amazing cake!
Frost once the cake has cooled (yes, you need to be patient!).
Next, put in the fridge to harden the frosting. Trust me…it’s even better this way! We have always pulled it out a couple of hours before serving as we like to eat it closer to room temperature, but you have to chill it first.
Enjoy your treat!
This post was first shared in 2011. We still love it and hope you will, as well.

Thanks for sharing - You're awesome!

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12 Comments

  1. I havent made homemade frosting in FOREVER!!! I don’t think I’ve made it at all since I’ve been married.
    I really want to try this. It sounds delicious..and I’ve been really bad about letting my kids bake, because of the mess they always make in the kitchen, but if I don’t STOP and enjoy it….then they’ll never learn. After all, I am supposd to be teaching these beautiful children all of these things and the are always wanting to help me.. plus..who doesnt need some Quality Control testers!!! 馃檪

  2. My little girl loves baking and has even taken a cake decorating class. I on the other hand cant stand to be in the kitchen, but she’s so happy when she accomplishes something that I stick it out. This recipe might actually encourage me.

  3. this cake looks wonderful…and what a great day for you and your princess chef–thank you for sharing this wonderful memory with tuesday night supper club!

  4. If I had great help in the kitchen like you do, I might bake more often. I so love a good tradition, and banana cake sounds divine. Thanks for sharing with the Hearth and Soul hop. I’m your newest follower.

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