Mary's Favorite Cajun Banana Bread/Cake!

Video for Banana Cake

  Banana Nut Bread, Banana Cake, Banana, Bananas!! Well I find this recipe to be a real special. maybe it's because my father went out of his way to purchase these books. I actually am taking breaths as I write this. All I can see is his face when he brought them to me. A sense of accomplishment. A true victor in my life. Who else could see that my father was my heart, except those who didn't wish to tamper with the idea. I loved my father so much. I loved both parents. But there is something special about father's who simply go out there way. I may of not received the pretty prom dress for the high school dance, but what I did was so memorable. Knowing that he traveled to a place to get these books for me makes it so special that I can not stop thinking about him. So I chose a simple and traditional Banana Cake recipe that comes from the state he grew up in for my very special recipe video. I hope you try it, because it just maybe the best banana recipe you have ever. Great for weddings, anniversaries, and simply an any day treat. Enjoy!!

Mise-en-place

1-3/4 cups Butter, softened

1-1/2 cups Sugar

1 teaspoon Vanilla extract

1 teaspoon Pumpkin Spice of a mixture of  ground cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg

2 Eggs

1/4 teaspoon Salt

3/4 teaspoon Baking soda

6 tablespoons Buttermilk, or liquid plain yogurt, or sour cream* 

(* Add 1-2 Teaspoons milk to sour cream to make liquid)

3 cups Flour 

1 cup very ripe Bananas!! (Mash with a fork)

2 cups Nuts (optional)

Bunqt pan or 2 tube pans

Cooking spray and parchment paper for bundt pans

Extra four for dusting the cake pans

  Preheat oven at 325 or 350 degrees. Grab a mixer if you have one, or use lots of "elbow grease". Cream sugar and butter to a fluffy soft consistency. Add egg, beating well. Add salt and soda to buttermilk, liquid plain yogurt, or sour cream and mix well until you can see bubbles developing. Remember if you are using sour cream, add some milk to soften into a thick liquid consistency. Add the buttermilk mixture to butter sugar mixture alternately with flour. Add mashed bananas, and nuts if desired. Pour batter into an oiled and floured pan. Please not if you are using the square pans, place parchment in pan and spray the parchment, and trim as necessary. When using a bundt pan, spray with oil, then lightly dust the pan before pouring the batter. This recipe should be able to fill 2 small tube pans, or 1 bundt pan. Or you can fill four tube pans and frost each layer to make a cake.

A beautiful Banana Bread/Cake!

  Place pans in oven for 1 to 1-1/2 hours. To speed up he process, bake at 350 degrees. Just be careful not to burn the cakes. For extra caution place another sheet pan right under the cakes when baking. When golden brown, test with the finger test or the toothpick test. The center should be 200 degrees. Place pans on rack, cool and invert. Serve with your favorite ice cream, fruit, or whipped cream. The best banana cake you may ever eat. 

Enjoy!!