It looks like things may start opening up and a “new normal” established with announcements and plans laid out by state and local government officials earlier this week.
We are still passing the “stay home” time with fun family activities, especially baking.
RECIPE—In looking through my mom Kay’s old recipe box this week I found a clearly much used and a little faded recipe card for Banana Nut Cake.
This is the one baked good that I remember my mom making so much of that she would have to freeze the extras. It is fairly simple and also makes great gifts.
Back in the 80s, my mom would keep all the metal coffee cans they would use up and save them throughout the year. Then come Christmas time, mom would use the cleaned cans to bake this cake in and give it out as gifts. My dad Claude used to work for the railroad, so the guys at the rail yard would love it when he would bring those for Christmas.
The cake tastes great warm, but honestly, I liked it cold. She would thaw out a loaf from the freezer overnight and a cold slice of that cake would be the best breakfast.
The recipe works for any time of year and any occasion because it is fresh and easy. You can also substitute the types of chopped nuts the recipe calls for. Growing up, mom used walnuts, but in my grown years, she used pecans. I would not use almonds, as the taste and texture does not work well with this recipe.
Another variation could be to add chocolate chips rather than chopped nuts.
Banana Nut Cake
3 c. all-purpose flour
3 c. granulated sugar
1 c. softened unsalted butter
1/2 c. buttermilk
4 eggs (refrigerated)
2 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. baking soda
4 mashed bananas
1 c. chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
Preheat oven at 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a fluted bundt pan, or two loaf pans.
Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, buttermilk, eggs, butter and vanilla in a bowl. You can either stir or use an electric hand mixer. Once mixed well, add the mashed bananas and chopped nuts.
Pour batter into prepared baking pan(s) and cook in oven for 1 hour or until toothpick placed in center comes out clean.
Leave out to cool for another hour for best results.
Be sure to store leftovers in refrigerator, and you can also freeze the leftovers or extra cakes.
STAY SAFE—Remember to do your part to stay home, stay safe, stay well and stay kind. Wash your hands and cover your nose and mouth with some type of mask if you must go out. The more we adhere to the precautions, the sooner these strange times will be behind us.
CONTACT INFO—If you have any other information on events that have had date changes or other community news, please contact me at 254-718-0133 or m_lagrone@yahoo.com.
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