Anna Sultana’s Spiced Banana Cake and the North Taurids Meteor Shower

Sometimes recipes can be like the fairy tale of Goldilocks and the three bears.

One recipe is too big, or one recipe is too small for one’s own needs.

Luckily, as in the tale, one can always find a recipe that is just right for the situation.

Last month I posted the recipe for Anna Sultana’s Banana Pound Cake With Caramel Glaze.

For a few of you that recipe made a cake that was too big.

I then posted Anna Sultana’s Banana Oatmeal Crumb Cake.

An easy recipe that you can make for an everyday dessert.

I got a few messages asking if bananas can be used in a cake with icing.

Of course they can, and I’m posting a recipe for that today.

Hints:

Over ripe bananas are also great for Anna Sultana’s Banana Bread.

Have a half a banana left over?

Make a banana daiquiri.

If you have bananas that haven’t reached that stage you can use them when you make Sweetened Condensed Milk Cheesecake with fruit.

This post also has the recipe for Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk.

                        Spiced Banana Cake

Grease and flour 2 9 inch round pans

For the Cake

Combine together in a medium bowl

1 1/4 Cups flour 

3/4 Cup rolled oats 

1/4 teaspoon salt 

3/4 teaspoon baking powder 

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

Set aside.

Peel and place in a measuring cup (a 2 Cup size gives you room to work)

2 very ripe bananas

Mash well.

You want to have 1 Cup of mashed bananas

Preheat oven to 350º F

Place in a large mixer bowl

1/2 Cup butter, softened 

Cream until fluffy.

Add

1 Cup light brown sugar, packed  

1/2 Cup sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons allspice
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Beat until light and fluffy. 

Beat in

2 eggs 

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla 

Add 1/3 of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture; mix well. 

Add 

1/3 cup sour cream 

Mix well. 

Add another 1/3 of the dry ingredients; mix well. 

Add half of the bananas; mix well. 

Repeat with remaining 1/3 of the dry ingredients and remaining bananas. 

Pour batter into prepared pans.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.

A toothpick inserted into the centre should come out clean.

Place the pans on a wire rack.

Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes, and then turn onto wire rack to cool. 

When completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate.

Frost with half of Allspice Cream Cheese Frosting.

Top with second layer and repeat.

For the Allspice Cream Cheese Frosting

Place in a medium bowl

3 ounces cream cheese, softened

1⁄3 Cup butter, softened

3⁄4 teaspoon allspice

Beat until blended.

Gradually add 

4 cups confectioners' sugar

Mix until well combined.

Stir in 

1 teaspoon vanilla 

Gradually add 

2 tablespoons milk

Beat until frosting is of spreading consistency.

About the sky this week…

According to the Farmers Almanac:

November 7 — Before dawn, look to the southeast to see the tiny, waning crescent Moon paired up with Venus, with Mars nearby, and Jupiter above them.  The Moon is also it’s farthest from Earth.

November 9 – Start your Monday off early – see the tiny, waning crescent Moon paired up with the blue-white star, Spica, way low in the horizon before dawn. Venus, Mars and Jupiter will be high above them.

November 11 — New Moon, 12:47 p.m. The Moon is not illuminated and is completely invisible to the naked eye. After that, it will now start growing!

November 12-14— North Taurids Meteor Shower, best viewing direction south 12 – 2 a.m. EST. The Taurids are actually two annual meteor showers created by the comet Encke. They are named for constellation Taurus, where they are seen to come from in the sky.