Banana Cake

September 6, 2018 By
 
This is one of my family’s favorite desserts.  It is easy and goes together quickly plus you will no longer throw away ripe bananas.  This cake also freezes beautifully.  My son-in-law especially likes it when the cake doesn’t bake evenly in the center and there is an extra thick layer of frosting.  Because of food sensitivities in our family, our cakes are made with white spelt flour and almond milk but an unbleached white flour and dairy milk will work as well.
 
This weekend I made a banana cake decorated with rainbow sprinkles with a two-fold purpose.  One was in honor of the 2018 Noah’s Kindness which begins in October.  I am blessed to work with Angie and below you will find in her own words what the event she and her husband Jarrett created is all about.
 
Announcing the Celebration of “Noah’s Kindness Project” 2018: Showing Love, Kindness, and Generosity on October 6, 2018 As many of you may know, our son, Noah James Haskovec, was born to us on June 13, 2015 following a week-long stay in the hospital. We spent the next twelve days with him in the NICU at the hospital before he passed away on June 25. Our blog documents his short but meaningful life with us here on earth. This October, around Noah’s expected due date, please join us in celebrating his life and legacy. Please take some time out of your day to do something nice for someone, to help someone in need or in distress, to volunteer or support a cause important to you, to pray and reflect, or to just make someone’s day unexpectedly better. The act of kindness is really up to you. Our goal is to have as many people as possible participate. Your act of kindness can be as simple as holding a door or as generous as giving of your time and money to help. All we ask is that you do it in memory of our son. We will provide Noah’s Kindness cards that you can print out and leave with your act of kindness. Our goal is to get as many people involved as possible and to spread kindness across the world. To see how far-reaching Noah’s Kindness Project can reach, we ask, once your act(s) of kindness is done, that you report back and post something about your experience. Please use the hashtag #noahskindnessproject on Twitter, Instagram and join our Facebook group “Noah’s Kindness Project”. Take pictures, share Noah’s Kindness cards, and encourage everyone you know to participate. The world needs more love and concern for others. Noah and his story brought it out in so many. We ask you to please join us and be a part of Noah’s Kindness Project. Please visit our blog for more information: http://haskovecstwolittleangels.blogspot.com/p/noahs-day-of-kindness.html
 
What I love about Noah’s Kindness –
  • This is an easy way for all of us to spread a little kindness into our community and families.  
  • If you are local, there are many organized events you can join in
  • You can choose your own act of kindness to perform no matter where you live.  It doesn’t need to be anything grand.  Maybe you make a banana cake and surprise someone.
  • It is such an example of a family taking some of the pain the loss of Noah brought and turning it into an event that is positive and honoring
  • Knowing this sweet family
  • A reminder of how important each act of kindness is and helps me practice a character in myself that I want to grow.

But after a few cream puffs with strawberry whipped cream were added, this cake was delivered to my daughter and her family to mark a very special occasion – the addition of a new sweet grandchild adopted through foster care.  This was especially meaningful since my husband is adopted.  I have included my daughter’s blog post below because she can speak to this topic much better than I – HERE

Here are a few takeaways I took from this experience – 

  • It is a journey to reading what the bible guides us to do in the subject of caring for others and actually letting Jesus walk you through the steps of doing it.  I will admit that when Tamara and Josh shared their desire to do this, I had a lot of questions.  I really appreciated them giving our family the freedom to ask and answer to the best of their ability.  
  • Watching what stability and care can provide on a daily basis is like watching a withering flower being brought back to its beauty with regular watering.  It was a miracle playing out in front of our eyes.  Every milestone we continue to delight in.
  • I remember one day coming to the truth that I wasn’t being asked to be the mother but the grandmother to another little one and that seemed completely doable and worry seeped away.  This has been a growth to my faith and character.
  • My heart is a house with many rooms and there is a room in my heart for our new addition who I love dearly and can’t imagine our family without him.
Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
 
Banana Cake
Serves 6
An easy cake that is ready in no time.
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Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
35 min
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
35 min
Cake
  1. ½ cup butter, softened
  2. 1 cup sugar
  3. 2 eggs
  4. ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
  5. 1-1/4 cups White Spelt flour or flour of your choice
  6. ¾ tsp baking soda
  7. ½ tsp salt
  8. ¾ cup mashed ripe banana
Frosting
  1. ½ cup butter, softened
  2. ¼ cup milk
  3. 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  4. 2-1/2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture, beating just until combined. Fold in banana.Pour into a greased 8-in baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a cooling rack.
  3. In a mixing bowl, cream butter. Beat in the milk, vanilla, salt and enough powdered sugar to achieve a spreading consistency. Beating this frosting for 3-4 minutes will produce a silky smooth icing. Spread on top of cake.
Notes
  1. Freezes beautifully.
Adapted from Taste of Home Recipe
Adapted from Taste of Home Recipe
Deliciously Inspired http://www.deliciouslyinspired.com/
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Noah’s Kindness Cookies

October 1, 2017 By

Today I am dedicating a cookie recipe to a special sweet baby that God sent for 12 days before needing him back home.  His name is Noah Haskovec and God gave him to parents (Angie and Jarrett) that bravely chose to take their heartbreak and create a tool to encourage others to live out kindness in remembrance of their son.   I am blessed to work with Noah’s mommy and for the second year one of my kindness projects is to feed her at work for the month of October.

What is so great about Noah’s Kindness Project is its simplicity.  You can either plug into a few of the service projects that are listed on the site or you can think of your own.  It can be done on your time schedule (and doesn’t necessarily have to be done in October because goodness knows we can use kindness throughout the year.)  Here is the link to learn more about the program.  Please consider spreading your own unique brand of kindness.  You have been given gifts and talents that can help others.

I like this cookie because it isn’t too sweet and works well with a spelt or gluten free flour so my husband who is wheat sensitive can eat them.  The cookie is very tender and decorated with blue and white sprinkles to resemble the sky and clouds with a little rainbow colored edible glitter.

Noah's Kindness Cookies
Serves 30
A tender almond flavored cookie, dipped in chocolate and decorated with sprinkles
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Prep Time
5 min
Prep Time
5 min
Ingredients
  1. 2/3 cup sugar
  2. 1 cup butter
  3. 1 egg
  4. 1 tsp almond extract
  5. 3 cups of flour (note - spoon into measuring cup and level off)
  6. 1/2 tsp salt
  7. 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips
  8. 1 tsp of coconut oil
  9. Sprinkles or chopped almonds
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare cookie sheets by lining with parchment paper.
  2. In large mixing bowl, combine sugar, butter, egg and almond extract. Beat until light and fluffy.
  3. Mix in dry ingredients.
  4. Shape into 1 Tbsp balls and then roll into 2 inch log. Place on prepared cookie sheet. Repeat with the rest of the dough placing 2 inches apart. Bake for 9-12 minutes or until set. Cool completely.
  5. In microwave safe dish place chocolate chips and coconut oil. Heat in 30 second increments at 50% power, stirring until smooth.
  6. Dip one end of each log into melted chips, then sprinkle dipped ends with sprinkles or almonds. Place in refrigerator to help set the chocolate before storing.
Adapted from Cookies! A Cookie Lovers Collection
Adapted from Cookies! A Cookie Lovers Collection
Deliciously Inspired http://www.deliciouslyinspired.com/
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Caramel Cupcakes

October 11, 2016 By

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This weekend a group of my daughter’s friends gathered items (in lieu of a baby shower for our new addition that is due in November.  My daughter decided she didn’t need anything for the baby since this is #3) and wanted to put together 20 Love Bags.  These bags will be given to foster children who are removed from homes for various reasons and arrive with only the clothes on their backs.  

Items were removed from sacks, laid out on the kitchen island and we began walking around filling the bags with toothpaste, a toothbrush, baby wipes, a blanket, Kleenex, coloring book, crayons, a photo album and a storybook.   We saw the truth of how something bigger than ourselves had become a reality.   It is the hope that these bags will not only be a comfort to the children but also the families that are taking in these little ones.

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After we had completed our project we talked, laughed, shared and, of course, ate.  One of the items I served was a Caramel Cupcake.  I was a bit challenged because I wanted to make sure my daughter, who needs to avoid eggs, could enjoy them.  The solution was found by substituting the egg with milk (I used almond/coconut milk) and apple cider vinegar.  We also had Monster Cookies, Almond Joy Bites and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Caramel Cupcakes
A caramel cupcake with caramel frosting.
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Ingredients
  1. 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
  2. 1 ½ cup almond milk, unsweetened or (your choice of milk)
  3. 2 cups white spelt flour, (or your choice of flour)
  4. 3/4 cup white sugar
  5. 2 tsp baking powder
  6. ½ tsp baking soda
  7. ½ tsp salt
  8. ½ cup coconut oil, melted and cooled
  9. Caramel Liquid Stevia - 6 to 8 drops
  10. Caramel Frosting
  11. 1/2 cup butter, softened
  12. 3-4 cups Powdered Sugar
  13. 1/3 cup almond milk (or milk of your choice)
  14. 8 Kraft Caramels, unwrapped
  15. Caramel Liquid Stevia, 6 drops
Instructions
  1. CAKE
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  3. Line two-12-cup muffin pans with muffin cups. Spray lightly with a coconut oil.
  4. Combine the 1 1/2 cup almond milk and vinegar into a 2-cup measuring cup and whisk together. Let sit 5 minutes until curdled (little bubbles will appear on top).
  5. Add stevia in liquid mixture.
  6. In large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  7. In a separate bowl whisk together the almond milk mixture, oil and stevia.
  8. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and mix well.
  9. Fill the cupcake liners about 1/2 full. (Do not overfill)
  10. Lightly bang pan against counter to even out batter.
  11. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes back clean, approximately 15-20 minutes.
  12. Cool in pan on a cooling rack.
  13. Make frosting below.
  14. When cool – Top with frosting and sprinkles, caramels and chocolate.
  15. Caramel Frosting
  16. Place caramels in microwave-safe dish with milk. Heat in 20 second increments, stopping to stir until well combined. Add in liquid stevia
  17. Place butter in the mixer and whip until smooth.
  18. Add in 2 cups of powdered sugar.
  19. Add in caramel milk mixture.
  20. Continue to add sugar until frosting is the consistency you desire.
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We hear about so much bad in the world but there are many who are doing what they can to spread kindness to our hurting world.  We live in a world that strives to have our focus remain on the yucky instead of the good. I have been blessed lately by seeing the generation of my daughter stand up and create good – and I am encouraged.  “Do not let kindness and truth leave you.  Bind them around your neck and write them on the table of your heart.”  Proverbs 3:3

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Frosting Done

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Ready to Decorate

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Here are my favorite items for making cupcakes.  

Kitchen Aid Mixer – I would consider going into debt if this kitchen tool broke but I’ve had mine for over 25 years and it’s still going strong.

Rachel Ray Cupcake Pans – I recently replaced my worn-out pans with these and enjoy how easily they clean up.  PS – They are on sale.

Cooling Racks – It is important to cool your cupcakes down before frosting – a cooling rack helps speed the process.  Tip:  I often bake my cupcakes the day before I decorate.  After they have cooled, i place in my cupcake storage containers and refrigerate.

Cupcake Storage Containers – These are my favorite holders because the tray can accommodate 12 regular size cupcakes or 24 miniature cupcakes or be removed entirely to hold a batch of cookies.  They also stack on top of one another.

Disposable Frosting Bags – These are worth the money – cuts down on clean-up.

Frosting Decorating Tips – I am not an expert on decorating but these large tips make my cupcakes better than my skill level.

Large Tip Decorating Coupler – This is made up of two piece – one will go inside the bag and the other will hold your tip onto the outside of bag and connect everything together.

Go to the Thrift Store and buy a cylinder vase or use a large drinking glass.  Place bag in vase/glass, fold the edge over vase/glass.  This makes getting the frosting into the bag much easier.

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