Iftar Dessert Ideas: Banana Cake

This recipe holds a special place in my heart because when I was little my mom used to make this cake every year for my dad's birthday. When I was pregnant I made two or three of these cakes and I hadn't made one since... until now!

You will need the following ingredients for this recipe:

-½ cup shortening
-2 large eggs
-¼tsp baking powder
-1tsp salt
-1 cup mashed banana (~3 bananas)
-1½ cup sugar
-2¼ cup cake flour
-¾tsp baking soda
-¼ cup buttermilk
-1 can chocolate frosting
-1-2 bananas extra

Remember, baking is a science. Precise measurements are more important than in most savory foods. Don't worry if you're a little off, but where most of my recipes are pretty fluid in proportion, this is not.

Start by mashing up the bananas (not the extras) - they don't need to me really smooth yet, so I usually just do it with a fork. Stir in buttermilk and combine well. Set aside.

Next combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set that aside, as well.

Then, cream together the shortening and sugar until it's nice and fluffy. Then beat in the eggs, very thoroughly.

Then add the flour mixture and bananas and buttermilk. Add each mixture a little at a time, alternately. Beat until pretty smooth, but if there are a few banana chunks left, it's not a big deal.

Grease the bottom of two 9-inch cake pans and pour the batter in.

Bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Carefully remove the cakes and let them cool. Once they're cool, set out the bottom layer and frost the top of it with the chocolate frosting. Slice up the extra bananas and put the slices on top of the frosting.

Put the second layer on top and finish frosting.

Please, people. Eat this with a cup of coffee. It's just too perfect.

Enjoy!

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