When bananas go bad . . . make a cake

Sometimes it seems as if bananas can turn on you in the blink of an eye.

One day there are beautiful yellow bananas sitting on the counter.  The next, brown spotted soft bananas have taken their place, and the entire family steers clear until they begin to take on a dark shade of brown.

When my bananas are one step from the compost bucket I know exactly what to do: Use them!

Unlike a lot of fruits, when bananas look bad, their flavor is pure banana joy!  I use these over-ripe gems  in a variety of ways: in smoothies, muffins, bread, pancakes – you name it.

One of my favorites is this cake.  What I have for you today: a delightful banana cake with a caramelized banana topping.  This really is a special treat.  Add nuts or coconut if you like, but I love the pure banana flavor. The cake is fantastic on its own with a dollop of whipped cream.  But, to treat yourself and your loved ones, make the entire cake, topped with the caramelized banana topping.

Enjoy.

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Banana Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare 2 9-inch pans by buttering and lining with parchment paper.

With a mixer cream the butter and sugar until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Lower the mixing speed and add eggs one at a time, making sure that each egg is incorporated into the batter before the next egg is added.

In a separate bowl add all dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt). Whisk a few times to aerate the flour and incorporate the other ingredients.

In a small bowl combine the bananas and the buttermilk.

Alternately add the flour mixture and the banana mixture, beginning and ending with the flour.

Pour batter into prepared pans.  Bake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center of the cake.

Allow the cake to cool completely.  (I know this is the most difficult stage in cake preparation!)

Frost your cooled cake with cream cheese frosting. (Recipe below.)

Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat cream cheese and butter in a mixer using the paddle attachment.  Beat until smooth. Add extracts.  Slowly add powdered sugar.  Continue to beat until smooth.

Top your beautiful frosted cake with caramelized bananas. (Recipe below.)

Caramelized Bananas

In a large skillet add sugar and butter.  Cook over medium-high heat until the sugar is caramelized.  Add sliced bananas and cook until they begin to brown, about 2 minutes each side. Allow the bananas to cool.

After cake has been frosted, top with the cooled caramelized bananas.

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