Banana Walnut Loaf with Easy Banana Frosting

My family loves banana cake, loaf, bread, muffins lol you name it. This is a very moist loaf, sort of a cross between bread and cake. Its great all on its own but my mom loves it with banana frosting. I made this frosting from a canned white frosting and banana extract. OMG it was insanely delicious. I put the cake out on the counter and about 2 hours later the whole thing was history.

1 1/2 c flour, unbleached
1 c brown sugar
1 stick butter, softened at room temperature
2 eggs
1 t salt
1 t baking soda
1 1/4 c mashed ripe bananas
1 1/4 t vanilla extract (do not use vanilla flavoring)
1/2 c sour cream or 1/2 c vanilla or plain yogurt
1/2 c crushed walnuts
1 can white frosting (white, not vanilla)
banana extract


1
Using mixer cream butter till fluffy. Add sugar to this and blend well. Add eggs one at a time mixing well in between each egg.
2
In seperate bowl sift flour, baking soda and salt.
3
Add a third of the dry mix and a third of the mashed banana to the creamed butter mix, blending well. then repeat this until all dry mix and bananas are blended into creamed butter mixture.
4
Now add your vanilla and blend in. Then blend in sour cream or yogurt (i used sour cream) gently until well mixed. Add cinnamon and blend into batter. Now fold in walnuts.
5
Using a non stick loaf pan sprayed with non stick cooking spray (or lined with parchment paper) Pour batter into pan.
6
Place pan into preheated 350 degree oven. Bake for about an hour (checking after 45 minutes by inserting toothpick into center, if it comes out clean it is done. Top of bread should be firm not jiggly)
7
Allow to cool on wire rack.
8
Invert onto plate or tray and allow to cool completely. (you may have to run a butter knife gently around pan to loosen, and/or tap gently on bottom. make sure cake is cooled so it doesnt fall apart when inverted)
9
Empty 1/2 to 3/4 can of white icing into a small bowl. Add banana extract and stir until completely blended. taste frosting and add additional extract until it is the flavor you desire. Frost top of cake with banana frosting. (it may drizzle down sides)
10
Enjoy with a cup of coffee, iced coffee or maybe a scoop of ice cream (i like banana or vanilla

Banana Sheet Cake with Banana Frosting

I first made this cake many years ago for a party I was invited too. With the incredible banana taste and delicious homemade banana frosting it was a huge success. Now it is a favorite among friends and family. You can spice the look up with added banana slices (remember they turn color quickly) or with sprinkles or maybe a chocolate drizzle but quite frankly we all love this cake just as it is! You can also add some chopped nuts at the very end. just fold them into the batter as the last step.

 

2 cups sugar
	3/4 c softened at room temp butter
	2 eggs
	1 t vanilla extract
	1/2 t banana extract
	3 c flour
	1 t salt
	1 1/2 t baking powder
	1 1/2 t baking soda
	1/2 c milk
	1 8oz container of sour cream
	3-4 ripe mashed bananas (about 1 1/2 c)
BANANA FROSTING
	3 very rip mashed bananas
	1 t lemon juice
	1/2 t vanilla extract
	1/2 t banana extract
	about 2 cups powdered sugar
	milk for thinning

Directions

1

In large bowl mix all dry ingredients

2

In a small bowl mix sour cream and milk together

3

In yet another bowl cream together butter and sugar till fluffy. then add eggs one at a time and beat after each addition. After final egg, add vanilla and banana extracts and blend together.

4

Beginning and ending with dry ingredients, add 1/3 dry ingredients, then 1/3 sour cream mixture to creamed butter and sugar mixture repeat until all combined. (remember start and end with dry ingredients.)

5

To this batter add the mashed bananas and mix well.

6

Spray sheet cake pan with non stick cooking spray and pour batter into pan. (or if using smaller deeper you may have to adjust baking time)

7

Bake in 350 degree preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. I checked mine after 20 minutes. (done when toothpick comes out clean.

8

Allow cake to cool completely and then frost with Banana frosting

9

BANANA FROSTING:Mash lemon juice into already mashed bananas, in a mixing bowl.Add milk and vanilla and banana extract and beat well with mixer. Beat in confecctioners sugar a little at a time until frosting is creamy. Add a bit of milk if it gets too stiff or thick.