Lyla's Banana Cake

Is your mouth watering?  It should be!  Can you taste it through the picture?  Lyla's Banana Cake is just as yummy as it looks; moist, flavorful, and demanding of seconds!  In addition, it's easy to make and puts those overly ripe bananas to good use.

In a mixing bowl, cream together:

1 1/2 C sugar

1/2 C shortening (Crisco)

 

Add and mix very well.  Batter will be lumpy with bananas.

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 C buttermilk

1 C mashed bananas (I use 2-4 bananas depending on what's on the counter!)

 

Add these dry ingredients and mix well on medium speed.

2 C flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

Pour into greased 9"x13" pan (I prefer glass) and bake at 350 degrees F for about 30 minutes.  Cool and frost.

 

Frosting choices are canned vanilla or canned cream cheese flavor.  However, you can also make this delicious cream cheese frosting pretty easily.

 

My version:

Beat 1 - 8oz. package of softened cream cheese until smooth

Add 1 tsp. vanilla and mix well.

Add 3 3/4 C or 1 lb. powdered sugar and 1/3 C milk

Beat until smooth.  It will be somewhat runny.  Pour over cake and spread evenly.

 

Lyla's version:

2 - 3oz. packages softened cream cheese

1 T butter, softened

1 tsp. vanilla

1 3/4 C powdered sugar

 

True confessions: It makes a great breakfast cake, too, for those who like to start  their day with sugar and rationalize the eggs and bananas as healthy.  :)