June 22, 2016

BEST EVER BANANA CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING




"Ah, yes, he said...
I remember coming into the dining room
on that hot summer day in the Delta
and
having a glass of sweet tea and a serving
of Mama Lady's banana cake!"


There is probably not a Mississippi girl around
that doesn't know how to make a good banana cake.

"What could be more Southern, than a Mississippi Grandmother,
referred to as "Mama Lady!"

This was the darling's paternal grandmother,
and yes she was quite the lady.
They lived in the Mississippi Delta,
where she raised six children, two girls and four boys!

Now it was "Mama Lady" 
who was known as a phenomenal cook in Indianola!
Her banana cake was known far and wide.

But....
Perhaps this recipe may be equal to her prize wining cake! 
I love taking THIS recipe to family gatherings
when I want to feed a large crowd.
The manner in which to bake this cake
sounded like a mistake to me when I first
read the directions, but I found it
to be exact.
It is the moistest and lightest cake ever!


The darling always remembered Mama Lady's
banana cake being served on the big
dining room sideboard every Sunday
after Church, along with a big roast beef luncheon!
Now that's a lovely memory from childhood! 


THE CAKE
3/4 cup butter
2 1/8 cups white sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas

THE FROSTING
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 (8- ounce) package cream cheese, softened
3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract



Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (yes....this low temperature is correct). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. In a small bowl, mix mashed bananas with lemon juice, set aside. In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream 3/4 cup butter and 2 1/8 cups sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk. Stir in banana mixture. Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven and place directly into freezer for 45 minutes. This will make the cake very moist.

For the frosting: In a large bowl, cream 1/2 cup butter and cream cheese until smooth. Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add confectioners’ sugar and beat on low speed until combined, then on high until frosting is smooth. Spread on cooled cake.

~ Estelle's Sweet Tip: Sprinkle toasted walnuts on top of cake 

5 comments:

  1. What a lovely memory, to go with a delicious cake...

    Oh and cream cheese frosting. Oh sigh Oh my...

    Tessa

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  2. Oh Betsy! This cake sounds amazing! If I was going to eat off my eating plan, I'd do it for this cake!

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  3. Yum-O! How lovely! Beautiful cake and lovely remembrances, Betsy. ♥

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  4. I love this post. I love that it's your sweetie's grandmother's recipe. As soon as I read it takes buttermilk...I knew it had to be a true southern recipe. :):) Who else knows about buttermilk. ?? I love your husband's memory of it being served. Blessings to you , xoxo, Susie

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  5. I NEED this recipe!!! Thank yo so much!!! I have so many of your recipes printed out! HAve you ever thought of writing a book??

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