The Covered Dish - Banana Cake

his weekend has found me baking a double batch of tropical biscotti and banana cake/breads. Friday after work Ervin and I ended up over in Branson and I stumbled into a bag of abut 20-22 bananas that were about midway to baking time! We dropped off a few across the street and then some to Phillip’s gal, Paige, and kept enough for at least 2 cakes for ourselves. Cost, .99 for the entire bag. In retrospect I should have picked up a second bag and frozen more for later use. Still a marvelous purchase.
I’ve run this cake recipe many times after writing this column for 17 years. It has never failed to present a light, refreshing cake. It also happens to have the ability to be baked in a specialty bundt pan and come out nicely. Not every cake can be made into my chrysanthemum baking pan, and come out with ease. I seldom bake and serve this recipe with any icing. It is so moist it seriously doesn’t need any. If I did use one it would just be a light glaze/drizzle. Baking the cake into muffin tins also works marvelously, just don’t over bake.
For those headed to Branson this summer I would certainly recommend a stop by downtown Branson to Mr. G’s Pizza and sandwich shop. I could not believe we have lived here 17 years and never enjoyed the Chicago style pizza at this restaurant. I would agree with the advertising as best pizza in Branson. Nice appetizers, quality service, and a management staff overseeing the dining room, with an observant eye.
Join me June 7 for the Focus on Family being held in the parking lot by Hobby Lobby, in Branson. 10Am to 3pm. There will be activities for the entire family, non profits and organizations providing resources galore. It’s like a huge street party. I’ll be in the 4OzarkSeniors tent, be sure and stop by. Oh yes, there will also be a few unique race cars and antique cars present. The event is all about community, come join us for a great day!
Time to set the recipe, and pull the last pan of biscotti from the oven. Simply Yours, The Covered Dish.

Banana Cake
1⁄2 cup Crisco oil
1 1⁄2 cups granulated sugar, Cream these two together
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3 teaspoons vanilla, beat together
3⁄4 cup buttermilk
2 cups flour
1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
3⁄4 teaspoon baking soda
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
Blend everything together and lastly add:
1 cup mashed bananas, (usually 3 bananas)
Nuts are optional-
Preheat oven to 300-325 degrees, grease and flour a regular bundt pan, or a specialty bundt pan. By lowering the temperature you will end up with a tender base with no dark over baked look. If you’re baking in a 9 x 13 pan you could also line with parchment paper.
After filling the pan with batter, tap the pan a couple of times on the counter before placing in the oven., this helps to remove air bubbles. Start monitoring the cake at about 35 minutes, and go from there. Remember at a lower temperature it is going to take a tad longer to bake.. Test with a toothpick and remember it will finish baking after it comes from the oven, just like a good steak.
Accolades to the Bridges family, formerly from Diamond, MO. The Bridges were good friends with my parents, Betty and Jerry Dance. Dad was actually the one who baked all the wonderful banana cakes. I remember one year he did one for my birthday! And, he made some for Phillip’s birthday over the years. Icing, never! Dad loved this cake with absolutely no icing.