Sunday, February 14, 2010

Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting


I think I read on an old Salada tea tag line (remember those?) that the only way to overcome temptation is to give in to it.  I pretty much adhere to that philopsophy, considering it's not immoral or illegal, grins.

My bloggy friend, Debbie, from Mocha Me, has some some of the most tempting recipes.  She shares my love of  baking, and I know when I go and visit with her that she's been cooking up something irresistible.  With her recent snowy weather she's been cooking up her own storm and among these was this delicious Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Ordinarily, I'm not big on banana cakes as they seem to lack the fullness and richness of the banana flavor that I seek, but the idea of a banana cake with cream cheese frosting enticed me, and with four very ripe bananas  begging for attention, I could not resist.

I am most certainly pleased that I gave in to temptation as this cake is delicious!  The cake is moist, the banana flavor shines through (you'll notice no extracts to compete with the bananas), and the cream cheese frosting is an excellent choice. Once Sweetie-Pi accepted that this is a banana cake and not banana bread, he liked it as much as I do.

Thanks, Debbie, this recipe is a keeper!

Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

2/3 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs, whites and yolks separated
2 cups mashed bananas (approximately 4 medium)
1 cup milk
3 cups all purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
 
Cream Cheese Frosting

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/4 cup butter, softened (if using salted butter, omit dash of salt listed at the end)
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
dash salt
Generously grease and flour a 9 x 13 inch baking pan and set aside.  Preheat oven to 350*F.
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 prepared baking pan. Bake for 30 - 35 minutes***or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack and then frost.

For the frosting:  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.

***My baking times more closely matched Debbie's; my cake definitely was not done at the end of 35 minutes.  I had to cover with a sheet of tin foil and continue to bake for another 20 minutes or so.  The top of the cake stuck to the tin foil, but frosting repaired its torn appearance and no one was the wiser.  I think the added baking time may have made the cake a little tough, but it still tasted good!

51 comments:

  1. Banana cake is one of my favorite cakes next to chocolate. I just haven't found a good banana cake recipe. Thanks for sharing your find!

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  2. I love Banana Cake. Thanks for sharing dear friend :)

    By the way, I have had to temporarily hide my blog until I can get it fixed.

    Happy Valentine's Day to you and Earl!

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  3. Tempting and mouthwatering banana cake...

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  4. Happy Valentine's Day! This looks yummy. My son love anything banana!

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  5. Mmmmm! I made a banana cake the other day and am now wishing I topped it off with cream cheese frosting!

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  6. I'm in agreement about banana cakes - they never seemed to measure up to my expectations - but this looks like the exception! I'm going to be keeping an eye on those bananas on my counter - another couple of days and they should be just right!
    Susan

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  7. I saw this on Debbie's blog and was pretty sure I fell in love with it. Firstly for the banana goodness. And secondly for the cream cheese frosting. God I love cream cheese frosting.

    Your photos are gorgeous!

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  8. Thanks for another great recipe from a great blogging friend. I have some bananas in the freezer just waiting to be banana cake. Thanks again.

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  9. Nice recipe for banana cake,liked the frosting tooo...happy v'day ...

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  10. Mmmm, I love banana cake, especially with cream cheese frosting. Looks divine. Happy Valentine's Day to you and your Sweetie-Pi!

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  11. This cke looks wonderful! Great post and you bet I'm bookmarking this recipe.

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  12. Cake looks fantastic! I love cream cheese frosting!

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  13. Looks and sounds good! Debbie has a ton of delish recipes.
    ~ingrid

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  14. Katy, it looks and sounds delicious. Because there are just two of us, I'm going to try to reduce the recipe and make cupcakes. They should be wonderful. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  15. This looks wonderful! I don't know that I've tried a banana cake - only banana bread or muffins...but the frosting on this certainly takes it over the top! Very nice :)

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  16. Only recently have I tried this... it is incredible with the extra icing!!!

    great post

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  17. Oh gosh...I am going to have to make this. It will be a winner with my husband. You had me with the cream cheese frosting!

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  18. Ahhh!! This looks amazing! It looks very moist and flavorful and the frosting would be so sweet that I would only eat a small slice at a time which is perfect because I ALWAYS give in to temptation :) Happy Valentine Day Katy!!! xx

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  19. Looks good. Happy Valentines Day Katy. X.

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  20. Looks great!!! Happy Valentines Day :)

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  21. Oh Yum! That looks amazing. The banana and cream cheese combination sounds awesome. I love your motto on temptation. I always give in to mine (well, at least the food-related ones)!

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  22. It looks so delicious! We usually eat bananas so quickly around here that there's not much left for baking. :O)

    I hope you had a wonderful day!

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  23. Mmmm! I love this cake - Happy Valentine's Day!

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  24. Yum....Yum.....YUM!!!!!!!! Banana cake and cream cheese frosting sounds VERY good right about now. I wish I could sneak a piece off of that plate, Katy!
    I hope you're having a wonderful Valentine's Day! :)

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  25. I have a serious addition to banana bread, muffins, and cake! I think this cake sounds so delicious! I love the idea of the cream cheese frosting!!

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  26. It looks moist and delicious, with just the right about of frosting!

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  27. I love banana cake, banana pudding, banana pie, I love bananas and especially that cream cheese frosting. I bet it was so delicious. Thanks Katy, you can bake one for me and mail it to me. teehee. lol Take care and have a great week.

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  28. This cake is certainly very tempting! I love the frosting!

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  29. I'll have to make this tempting treat, Katy; I adore banana bread if it's moist, so topped with cream cheese frosting this would be a perfect match! I really need to go on a diet, so tell me this is low-cal. LOL!

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  30. luvly & delicious banana cakes..:)

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  31. Delicious days are here sweety-have got 3 awards lined for u my sweet happy pal,do stop by and pic 'em up coz they are topped with loads of love,yeah valemtines=love@365......

    Hope u love 'em as muc as i do!!!!!

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  32. Ooohh yum yum! Im bookmarking this!

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  33. Katy, I'm so glad you enjoyed this. Thanks for the shout out and your picture is wonderful!!!! I've made too many cakes recently and need to start to "cook" more!!!!

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  34. I have a recipe for a snack N cake Banana cake...I bet this icing would be great on it... Lovely photo... :)

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  35. I too have to think twice before sinking my teeth into a piece of tasty banana cake. For reasons beyond my control, I hesitate for banana bread but sink my teeth into a delicious piece of banana cake. Strange I know:) We won't even discuss blueberries, LOL...

    As someone once wrote on my blog, enticed by the cream cheese frosting, fortified by the cake, YUM!!!

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  36. Tempt me with this cake anytime. I love banana cake and that frosting - don't get me started on the frosting. This is grand lusciousness that as stated - is not immoral or illegal so happy to partake!

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  37. I love a moist fruity banana cake.
    Mimi

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  38. Katy, this is such a simple and delicious recipe. This is the type of recipe that is shared through the generations. Love it.

    I love the philosophy of giving into temptation. Definitely much easier than resisting.

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  39. now that is a temptation that i am very willing to give in to! i love this cake!

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  40. Katy, This looks so good. You always have the best desserts and pancakes.

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  41. Delicious! I make banana cake with cream cheese frosting as a layer cake. I usually make it for birthdays and then sprinkle with ground pecans. This looks wonderful!

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  42. Hi Katy, Happy Valentine's Day

    I love banana cake! and it is delicious with cream cheese frosting, no doubt. Great recipe!
    Do you have any pitta bread recipe that you tried yourself ?
    Cheers,

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  43. Hmmmm, this looks great. I think hubby will go for it. Thanks for sharing this.

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  44. THis looks so yummy. I actually had some very ripe bananas on the counter yesterday. I looked over at the counter and they are gone. My husband ate them. Bummer. I think I have to hide four bananas so I can make this. It looks so good.

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  45. Katie, that is one awesome photo!

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  46. This is definitely not your average banana cake! I love the yummy frosting. I have ripe bananas on my counter right now. Maybe I will make this tomorrow if I have time. :)

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  47. Banana bread is one of my favorites to bake and to eat! the cream cheese frosting gives this such a "wow" factor. Oh honey, i need to bake this!

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  48. Will this would go perfect with the lentil soup. Seriously, this looks wonderful!

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  49. How could I miss this one! Like many other folks, I adore the banana cake, and I have to make time to bake this!

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  50. This cake is just heavenly Katie! Especially with the cream cheese frosting! I don't know why I've been missing your posts the last few weeks - I'll have to make sure I'm still getting your updates.

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