Banana Cake Recipe

2 ¼ cups sifted cake flour

2 ½ teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ cup shortening

½ teaspoon salt

1 ¼ cups sugar

1 cup mashed ripe bananas (2 or 3)

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 large eggs

1/2 cup buttermilk or sour milk

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 8-inch by 1 ½-inch layer cake pans or a 13-inch by 9-inch by 2-inch baking pan.

In a large bowl, sift flour with baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar. Add the shortening, bananas and vanilla; beat at low speed just until ingredients are combined. At medium speed, beat for 2 minutes, occasionally scraping the sides of the bowl. Add the eggs and the buttermilk or sour milk.

Pour the batter into the prepared pans; bake layers for 30 to 35 minutes; bake oblong 40 to 45 minutes or until it tests done. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes; remove from pans onto wire cooling racks to cool completely. Fill and frost the layers with sweetened whipped cream and banana slices if desired.

TIP: To sour milk put 1 ½ teaspoons vinegar or lemon juice in a measuring cup. Add the milk and let stand a few minutes before using.

Source: McCall's Cook Book, 1963