Years ago, my mother-in-law gave me a recipe for a cake that was called, of all things, Banana Killer Cake. No joke. The funny thing is that she didn't bake. At least from scratch. I think she got the recipe from a co-worker and brought it to me. This cake was so dadgum good and became a family favorite for many years. It wasn't until years later that I found the exact same recipe under a different name. Hummingbird Cake. What? Yes, Hummingbird Cake. Apparently, this Southern recipe has been passed down for generations and the story goes that the cake earned it's name because each bite makes you hum with delight. Another theory is that it's as sweet as the sugarwater used to attract its hovering namesake. Corny, huh?
Well, whether you call it Banana Killer Cake or Hummingbird Cake, it's one humdinger of a cake! It's one of my favorites and since we were having a celebratory family get together last weekend, I decided to make it. For me. Let's get down to business, shall we?
Sift together the dry ingredients:
3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
Add your wet ingredients and mix well:
3 eggs
2 cups mashed bananas
1-1/2 cups vegetable or canola oil
8 oz. crushed pineapple, undrained
1 tsp. vanilla
Look at that yummy goodness! Go ahead and taste it. You'll think you've died and gone to heaven. I promise. Now, before you eat the whole bowl, pour the batter into a Pam-sprayed bundt or tube pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 70 minutes.
This is our birthday cake! Yeah, I know. I didn't use a bundt pan. My daughter doesn't like nuts and but I do and this was the easiest way to go about it. I made desserts like this all the time when she was growing up...one side with nuts and one without. It kept peace and happiness in our family.
In case you're wondering, I'm the one who is 59 and she is actually 28, not 118! Hehe. I couldn't find my "2" candle and had to resort to plan B. Below you will find the recipe in its entirety, including the cream cheese frosting. Yum!
If you prefer to have the recipe set up so that you can print a front and back recipe card, let me know and I'll get 'er done for you.
In case you didn't know, I'm having a giveaway celebrating my recent birthday. I made a needlebook just for one of you! Click on the above image to find out the details and post your comment. Your name will be in the hat!
Praying your day is full of sunshine and joy~
