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Sunday, February 17, 2013

Grandma's Banana Cake


Today is my Grandma's birthday. If she were still alive, she would be turning 89. But my grandma died 14 years ago on Valentine's Day... 3 days before her 75th birthday. When I called my grandpa today, he reminded me of this (he's a numbers guy) and joked that if my grandma hadn't had a birthday, they probably never would have gotten married. So yes, today was an important day, after all. Even at the ripe old age of 94, my grandpa is witty.



He still lives on his own, in the house my mom grew up in, and still does everything from raking his leaves to shoveling his driveway. He makes his own meals, does his own shopping, and cleans his own house. In fact, he has cleaned out a lot from his house (like the beautiful plates & mugs in the pictures) and much of what remains is memorabilia. My grandpa loves to tell the stories of his life, and always has a bit of memorabilia to share. Like these, my grandma's diaries.


To be fair, they are not so much diaries as records of day-to-day events...and I have enjoyed looking through them to get a glimpse into my grandma's life as a young mom. April 9, 1954: "Clarence took us to Sears. Bought Patrick a brown suit with houndstooth fronts."  June 29, 2953: "Washed today. Had almost two weeks wash." December 13, 1953: "Baby had a fever of 102."


And then there was my favorite: February 17, 1954: "My birthday. Baked a banana cake. Clarence went to play cards at Cudworth Legion Post with Ferd." Typical. I'll make myself a birthday cake, you go play cards. Some things never change.  :)


Well, Grandma... today I wanted to bake a cake for you. To let you know you are loved, and missed. To say that I'm sorry you never got to meet my children. To remember how sudden, and how sad, it was when you left this world. To celebrate your life - a life well lived.

The other thing my grandpa told me when I talked to him today is that all 5 of his children had called in honor of their mom's birthday. He joked (again) that he wasn't sure such thoughtful children could really be his. All I said was, "I guess Grandma did something right." :)



Grandma's Banana Cake
2 5/8 c flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/8 tsp. salt
2 c sugar   
3/4 c shortening (I used softened butter)
3/4 c sour milk
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c ripe mashed bananas
3/4 c chopped nuts
3 eggs

1. Mix dry ingredients in medium bowl; set aside.   
2. Stir shortening or butter to soften. 
3. Add 3/8 c milk, half of dry ingredients, and bananas. Mix 2 minutes at low speed. 
4. Add eggs, nuts, and remaining milk and flour. Mix 1 minute at low speed.
5. Pour into greased 9x13 inch pan.
6. Bake at 375 for 45 minutes.

Serve with whipped cream.

Enjoy!  



Looking for another delicious dessert recipe? Check out my Spiced Pumpkin Cookie Cups!



Linking up to these great parties!



Thanks for taking a peek inside my Lemon Tree Dwelling!
I hope you feel right at home :)
-Cathy   


 

44 comments :

  1. Cathy, you made me cry. I love the fact that you made a banana cake for your grandma (my mom) and that you served it on dishes that belonged to her. This cake was one of our favorites when my brothers and sisters and I were growing up.
    Love you, Mom. I know that you are watching over us. You would have enjoyed meeting your great-grandchildren. Nine already and more on the way. You would have been so busy knitting and crocheting little things for them.

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    1. Glad I could do something to honor her life and your memories of her :)

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  2. I love this! I'll make sure Cyndi has the recipe and see if Amy wants to adapt it to make it vegan. I love that Dad thinks all his kids are thoughtful. I think the grandchildren and greatgrandchildren seem to be on that path as well. Love you Cathy. Beth

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    1. Thanks, Aunt Beth! Isn't it sweet that Grandpa commented on all the phone calls...? He was clearly very moved by the support. Thanks for taking the time to read and share - the cake is so good!!

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  3. Cathy,
    This cake looks yummy, most everything that Grandma makes should be good, right? I hope you'll share it tomorrow. I wanted to let you know that I nominated you for the Liebster Award on my blog today.
    I absolutely love your blog and your recipes.
    xoxo
    Wanda Ann @ http://www.memoriesbythemile.com/

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    Replies
    1. Great memories. Thanks for sharing. Valentines day i made a banana cream pie for my mom. It was and is my parents favorite. My dad wouls just inhale it.

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    2. Thanks so much, Wanda Ann! Yes, there is something about Grandma's recipes that is special. I appreciate the nomination! :)

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    3. Thanks, Pat. What is it about food that brings back such memories? Pretty amazing if you think about it!

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  4. Dear Cathy,
    Thanks for the sweet tribute to our Mom and Grandmother.
    Barb & family

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    1. Thanks, Aunt Barb. My pleasure...glad I could do it :)

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  5. Cathy-
    I feel honored to have been able to taste this masterpiece of a cake that you made. It is absolutely delicious! After reading today's post, I think I know where your baking gift comes from.
    Thanks-to you and your Grandmother-for the wonderful treat.
    ~Katie

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    1. Thanks, Katie! Glad you enjoyed it and can testify to its deliciousness.... :) Thanks for your support.

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  6. What a very sweet post! (And I don't mean just the Banana Cake recipe!) I love the story of your Grandma and Grandpa...and your Grandma's journals. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Thanks for your nice comment, Patty! I appreciate you stopping by!

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  7. hi cathy... i really enjoyed reading this post about your grandma... what a treasure to have her journals and dishes... the banana cake looks delicious... i'm going to give the recipe a try!
    angie

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    1. Thanks, Angie. Yes, the journals and dishes do feel like treasures...and the recipes too. I hope you try it - I promise it's delicious :)

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  8. Don't you just adore family recipes?! We have been working with my grandma (87 this year!) to write down all the recipes she keeps in her head so we can continue to make them as the years pass.

    This cake looks so delicious!

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    1. Thanks Shannah! Yes! Family recipes are the best - such treasures to hold on to. How neat that you are writing down all your grandma's recipes....great idea.

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  9. Thank you so much for sharing. My Grandma passed away about 1.5 years ago and the wonderful age of 91. I have been baking up some of her recipes lately. It is fun and full of memories. It helps me feel closer to her.
    I'm pinning this to make with my next batch of really ripe bananas. It looks delish.
    Take care,
    KC

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  10. Yum, this looks so delish. Love banana cake! Thanks for sharing!

    Christi

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  11. Thank you for sharing this recipe. I love to see old recipes - they were so much simpler and seemingly healthier! I will definetely be trying this soon, my daughters will gobble it up! I'm new to your blog and will be back soon, following now. Would love for you to check out my blog, Barefoot by the Sea!
    Have a great day!
    Jessica
    www.barefootbysea.blogspot.com

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  12. Ohh this is such a sweet post! You are so lucky to have 'something' to remember of your grandma. Love that diary she wrote. What a treasure ! I would love to try this recipe in the future as banana cake is one of my favorite and I am sure your grandma's banana cake is to dye for! Thanks for sharing!

    I am now following you through FB and I found you through Kathryn's party.

    http://www.curiositaellya.blogspot.com/

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  13. I love your recipes! This looks really good! It is always nice to bake something that was a relative's recipe...for me in someway when I bake a recipe that was handed down to me and I am reading it in their handwriting, it always makes me feel closer to them. Have a wonderful week:)

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  14. These look WONDERFUL! I would love for you to come over and share these on my weekly link up that just went live for the week. http://countrifiedhicks.blogspot.com/2013/02/mondays-with-countrified-hicks-4.html

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  15. I just love the records your grandma kept - how special is that ! Her recipe looks delicious, can't wait to try it.

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  16. wow! I love that you have your grandmas journal... an amazing legacy... :o) If my granddaughter ever tries to read my planner no one will be able to decipher the scratches :o) Thanks for linking up to Tasteful Tuesdays @ Nap-Time Creations. So glad you stopped by! Emily

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  17. This is such a beautiful post. And you have such a treasure--your grandma's journals as well as her cake, which looks absolutely moist and wonderful. Thank you for sharing this cake and your memories at See Ya in the Gumbo this week. It's nice to have you join in.

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  18. Such a good memory and keepsake for the loved grandma. The cake story is a sweet memory too.

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  19. The recipe sounds delish, as is the story.

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  20. YUM!!! I've had banana bread before but never banana cake. I'll have to get cooking.

    http://maryshealthymeals.blogspot.com/

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  21. What a beautiful story! I feel like going out and buying a date book to write our day-to-day events in hopes that my granddaughter someday might feel a special connection to me by reading it. :) I'd love for you to share this at my Show & Share link party:
    http://www.semihomemademom.com/2013/02/show-share-wednesday-26-and-shrinking.html

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  22. Great post, lovely story! I was wondering if omitting the nuts in the recipe would change the time needed for baking, thanks.

    Kathy

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  23. This cake looks amazing...when should I come over with my fork?

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  24. What a sweet and special post, Cathy! Your Grandma's cake recipe looks amazing and it warmed my heart hearing about you reading and enjoying her precious diary entries. <3 We lost my Grandma about four years ago and my Grandpa lived in the home they bought as newlyweds until he passed away in August. The home they raised my dad in, and that I cherish so many memories made inside of, is right next door to my house. Hearing your story touched my heart so. I don't mean to sound overly sappy (although I am a sap!), but I can't resist saying enjoy each priceless moment you have with your Grandpa as he tells those stories of the "old days". So very special! And, there's nothing quite like a tried and true recipe from your Grandma's kitchen ... Thanks for sharing!

    Brenda @ChattingOverChocolate.blogspot.com

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  25. I'll take a piece now, please!! :) This looks so yummy. Love your beautiful story, too! Thanks so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent.

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  26. Looks so yummy! I love anything banana. :)

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  27. This banana bread looks wonderful, Cathy, and thanks for the story also. Best wishes, Linda

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  28. Priceless, I love this story and it brought tears to my eyes that you baked your grandmother a cake. I bet she smiled and felt your love. I featured you today at Memories by the Mile.
    xoxo
    Wanda Ann @ http://www.memoriesbythemile.com/

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  29. This looks so good!! The story was fantastic too! Thank you so much for sharing with us all. :)

    Jamie

    www.huckleberrylove.com

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  30. What a beautiful post and such a tribute to both you grandparents! It's so special to be able to read through those diary entries. And the banana cake looks delicious! I am sure your grandma is so proud as she looks down on you :)

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  31. I LOVE banana baked everything... I'm sure it's amazing! I'm so glad you came to share at Super Saturday Show & Tell... come back again next week to party with me again :) xoxo~ Ruthie

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  32. What a great idea of baking this cake on her birthday! Loved seeing the journal entries too, so fun! Always enjoy coming over and reading your posts and seeing your recipes & projects!

    Thanks for sharing @The Weekend re-Treat!

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  33. This looks so delicious. Thanks for sharing it on Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop. Love the sweet story behind it. My grandmother's birthday is Feb. 22. She would be over 100 now (I lose track). She passed away in the early '80s but I always remember her birthday. Miss her.

    Hope to see you at next week's hop!
    Sinea from Ducks ‘n a Row

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