I realize that some of you are a little like me. You can just never have enough cooking and baking books. I recently came across this gem of a book, Southern Cakes, by Nancie McDermott.
Banana Cake with Chocolate Frosting
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas
Chocolate Frosting
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1/3 cup cocoa
1/3 cup evaporated milk or half-and-half
4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
To make the cake:
Heat the oven to 350 F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, and stir with a fork to combine well.
In a large bowl, combine the butter and sugar, and beat well, about 2 minutes.
Add the eggs, one at a time, and then the vanilla.
Beat well for 2-3 minutes more, scraping down the bowl occasionally, until you have a smooth batter.
Using a large spoon or spatula, stir in half the flour just until it disappears into the batter.
Stir in the buttermilk , and then the remaining flour, the same way.
Gently fold in the mashed bananas.
Divide the batter between the two cake pans.
Bake at 350 F. for 25-30 minutes, until the cakes are golden brown, spring back when touched lightly in the center, and begin to pull away from the sides of the pan.
Cool for 10 minutes in the pans on wire racks or folded kitchen towels. Then turn out onto wire racks or plates to cool completely, top side up.
To make the frosting, in a medium saucepan, combine the butter, cocoa, and evaporated milk. Place over medium heat and bring to a gentle boil. Cook, stirring often, for about 5 minutes, until the cocoa dissolved into a dark, shiny essence, Remove from the heat and stir in the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla. Beat with a mixer at low speed until you have a smooth, thick frosting.
To complete the cake, place one layer, top side down, on a cake plate or serving plate, and spread about 1 cup of frosting evenly over the top. Cover with the second layer, placed top side up. Spread the frosting evenly, first over the sides and then covering the top of the cake.
*IF you don’t have buttermilk, stir 1 1/2 teaspoons of vinegar or lemon juice into 1/2 cup of milk, and let stand 10 minutes.
GOOD LUCK in this FUN giveaway! I wish each and everyone of you could win a copy of Nancie’s incredible book!
Melissa @IWasBornToCook says
Ciao Nancie! 🙂
DessertForTwo says
Ahh! I would love this book! I have been staring at it in the bookstore for a while now!
Melissa @IWasBornToCook says
I subscribe via RSS.
DessertForTwo says
I follow you on Twitter 🙂
DessertForTwo says
I follow Nancie now too 🙂
Melissa @IWasBornToCook says
I like you on FB.
Lindsay @Eat, Knit, Grow says
Yum! That looks divine! I want some!
DessertForTwo says
I like you on FB
Melissa @IWasBornToCook says
I follow you on Twitter.
DessertForTwo says
And I also like Nancie on FB
shawna says
Hey Hey!
DessertForTwo says
I also subscribe to your RSS feed 🙂
Anonymous says
Hello from rosietulips[at]hotmail.com
Anonymous says
I also subscribe to Cake Duchess RSS feed!
rosietulips[at]hotmail.com
egbkid says
Bonjour from Canada!
Becky says
Bonjour,
Lora and Nancie, the cake is gorgeous!
Becky says
I am a ner follower on FB!
Becky says
I am a new follower on your blog!
Cara @ The Boys Made Me Do It says
Hi Nancie!
Cara @ The Boys Made Me Do It says
I follow via GFC
Maris (in Good Taste) says
Hi to Nancie and you too!
Gorgeous cake!
christopher sorel says
love me some southern cake
HI! Ciao! Hola! Salut!
christopher sorel says
Follow Nancie on Twitter
christopher sorel says
Follow Cake Duchess on Twitter
christopher sorel says
“Like” Nancie’s Facebook page
Sourkraut says
Hi there! That cake looks delicious, by the way.
Sourkraut says
I follow the Cake Duchess blog.
christopher sorel says
like cake duchess on facebook
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
Uhmm… Hi! lol Too funny and this cake looks fantastic!
christopher sorel says
follower of the Cake Duchess blog
Emily says
Hi Nancie! Love this giveaway
Emily says
I 'like' the Cake Duchess on Facebook
Emily says
I 'like' Nancie's page on Facebook
Bestfoodies says
Followed a tweeter (nella22) over to you to see this awesome cake made with two of my favorite cake flavors. I will be trying this out!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
This cake looks outstanding! I love the combination of banana and chocolate. One can NEVER have too many cookbooks:-)
Diethood.com says
Pozdrav Lora! Pozdrav Nancie! 😉
banana and chocolate in a cake = heaven!!!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
I follow you on Twitter!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
I follow you on Google Reader
foodwanderings says
Wow Miss Lora, Love just love this gievaway! Tweeted, following Nancy and all the other good stuff, already following you on twitter and since I opened a new FB account I am following you there too. Woohoo and Shalom שלום:)
A Thought For Food says
Saying hi to my favorite person (well, now people!) A wonderful, flavorful (and I'm sure very moist) cake!
Patti MacLeith says
Hello! This will be the next cake I bake! YUMMY!!
Sandra says
What a great cake just enough of chocolate to satisfy my sweet tooth:)), and book sounds fantastic!
Sarah-Jane - SiliconeMoulds.com says
that frosting makes me want to give you a big YEEEEE HAAAAAA !
Gawd – don't let me near a bowl of that stuff ;-P There might be nothing left to ice the cake with
Kimmy Bingham says
Oh wow. Any combination of banana and chocolate has my vote. As always, you're making me so very hungry. This is definitely on the list for things to make. 🙂
domenica@domenicacooks.com says
I adore Nancie. She is one of my favorite people on Earth. Not commenting for the giveaway–I already have Southern Cakes (and Southern Pies : ) and most of her other books! Your cake looks delicious, Lora
Ilke says
Merhaba Nancie! Love the chocolate frosting on the cake! would love to add another Southern Cookbook to my collection. 🙂
cakemom68 says
Hi Nancy I also follow you on twitter. (ibakethecakes) That cake looks delicious. Always heard great things about Southern Cakes cookbook.
Betty @ scrambled henfruit says
Hey y'all! Beautiful cake! 🙂
Cookin' Canuck says
What a gorgeous cake! I had the pleasure of meeting Nancie this past weekend and would love a copy of her book.
Cookin' Canuck says
I follow Nancie on Twitter.
Cookin' Canuck says
I follow you on Twitter.
Cookin' Canuck says
I "like" you on Facebook (and in real life).
Angie's Recipes says
The cake looks luscious and delicious!
Elin says
Lora..this is great for my after dinner dessert….need something great as this. Banana cake and chocolate frosting is a classic…love it 🙂
Have a pleasant and happy day,
Elin
Maja says
Yum, what a gorgeous cake ! I am saving this recipe !
june in ireland who loves to bake says
I love this cake and want a slice so much right now. I also love this book, and would love to win a copy of it.
The thing is, while I subscribe to your blog via my Google RSS Reader, but I don't live in the US any longer, but in Ireland these days. Do I still get a chance to win this amazing sounding book? Please say yes!
Anonymous says
Gorgeous cake, Lora. Now can I please have that book? Pretty please? 🙂
Anonymous says
Konichiwa, Nancy! I just followed on Twitter.
Anonymous says
Chef Pandita likes Nancy on FB! [yes, I got a new FB page last week :D]
Anonymous says
Of course I follow you on Twitter, Lora.
Anonymous says
I like you on FB [and on Twitter and in real life]
Anonymous says
I am subscribed to your RSS feed!
Anonymous says
What a delicious looking cake! I'd love a copy of Nancie's book.
Anonymous says
I already follow you on twitter. 🙂
Anonymous says
I already like you on facebook 🙂
Anonymous says
I follow Nancie on twitter
Anonymous says
I have liked Nancie's facebook page
Ken│hungry rabbit says
It's one of those cakes that's perfect for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Drool. Fabulous job Lora.
Ken│hungry rabbit says
I stalk you on twitter obsessively 😉
Pretend Chef says
Itty bitty just ran over to the laptop at the sight of this cake and asked if it is for his "Cars burfday parey?" Haha! He's so excited about his 3rd birthday coming up in June. This book would be a lifesaver for making a cake. What a great giveaway! Thank you Nancie and Lora.
Pretend Chef says
I LIKEd Nancie's Facebook page! Happy to be the 48th LIKE! Haha!
Pretend Chef says
I already LIKE you on Facebook.
Pretend Chef says
I am already a FOLLOWER of your blog!
Anonymous says
Hey y'all! 🙂 How amazing! I just found this cookbook on Amazon this weekend and was going to a bookstore this weekend to check it out.
Anonymous says
Already follow you on twitter! (@VegBakeaholic)
Anonymous says
Follow Nancie on twitter! (@VegBakeaholic)
Anonymous says
Already follow the blog!
Anonymous says
Like you on Facebook (Stephanie Smith)
Anonymous says
Like Nancie on Facebook! (Stephanie Smith)
Sharon says
Bonjour!
Sharon says
I follow @nanciemac on twitter @rusthawk.
Sharon says
I am a fan of nancie's on facebook. (Rust Hawk)
Sharon says
I am one of your current twitter followers @rusthawk.
Sharon says
I am one of your current facebook fans (Rust Hawk)
Sharon says
I am one of your current GFC followers.
Sharon says
I am subscribed to your RSS feed.
Nancie McDermott says
Cake Duchess! This looks just as good as the original. You are truly a natural in the royal world of Baked Goods.
Thank you for this, can't wait to see who the winner is!
spcookiequeen says
Cio Nancie and Lora, I like you already, but I could like you extra. Beautiful job with the cakes Lora.
-Gina-
Patty says
I just "liked" your the Cake Duchess Facebook page! Thanks
Patty says
I just "liked" Nancie's Facebook page! thanks!
Patty says
Hola!!
Reeni says
Hi to two talented ladies! The cake looks incredibly delicious! I love me some banana and chocolate – delectable and irresistible combo!
Megan says
I follow you on Twitter
Megan says
"Hello" 🙂
What a nice looking cake and a great cake book. My hubby loves the banana/chocolate combo and would be thrilled if he came home to that cake. I would like to make that coconut cake that is on the cover of that book!
Megan says
I like you on FB.
Megan says
Your in my Google reader too.
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says
That is one yummy sounding cake! Bananas and chocolate were made for each other.
Anonymous says
hello! your cake (and just about everything you make here) looks scrumptious!
Anonymous says
you are also in my google reader.
Anonymous says
and i'm now following you on twitter (this feels like a ridiculous amount of comments but i love cookbooks!) 🙂
Raina says
Hi Nancie! Your book looks wonderful; this banana cake looks pretty darn good too!
A SPICY PERSPECTIVE says
HI! Lovely, lovely cake. 🙂
A SPICY PERSPECTIVE says
I'm a new twitter follower.
Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels says
Mmmm I love cake. 🙂 Especially cake with chocolate frosting!!!
Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels says
I follow you on twitter!
Courtney says
Banana and chocolate cake? Yes please!! 🙂
Foodafok says
Very nice cake. http://usubufood.blogspot.com/2011/05/savanyu-maj.html
Georgia | The Comfort of Cooking says
Hi, Nancie and Lora! This cake looks absolutely mouthwatering… Mmm. I could definitely go for a piece for dessert, and maybe even breakfast the next day, ha ha. Thanks for sharing!
Magic of Spice says
This cake looks so good! Sorry I missed your giveaway, but I do follow you 🙂
Teegal says
I’m so amazing at what I saw on your blog,was searching for a nice site where I can get banana cake for my cousin’s wedding. Your banana cakes looks.
attractive and adorable.
I will like to you to bake a cake for my cousin’s wedding that is coming up next month.