Banana Cake

 
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
Deliciously Inspired http://www.deliciouslyinspired.com/
 
 
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Gratitude

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This morning I am sitting outside in my backyard sipping organic Chocolate Roobus tea, with 3 drops of caramel stevia and a splash of almond-coconut milk.  The blue sky is waking up, birds are singing and I can hear my neighbors pool pump humming.  The greens that clothe the plants and trees around the perimeter of our yard are vibrant.  I notice the details.   It is easy in these quiet moments to find gratitude.  These are moments I practice to build into my life for this is where life becomes manageable and I can find perspective.  Truly I don’t know where this blog post is going but I feel a need to write about quiet, not missing the sweet details in life, and about growing a heart of gratitude and kindness.

 A month or so ago I was sitting outside on a deck in 63 degree weather.  Living in Phoenix, AZ, 63 degrees is a gift on an early October day but I wasn’t in Phoenix.   I was in Show Low, AZ., a three hour drive from home.  This is my writing from that day:

 I will do my best to describe the moment.  There are birds chirping, the sound of a distant road with occasional cars, the trees near me are fluttering from an unseen breath.  A wind chime dances and sings reminding me of whispering church bells.  The blue sky with fluffy marshmallow cream clouds peek through the trees.  There is something up here that can be hard to find in the valley – a quiet that invites me to be still, reflect  and enjoy the quiet.

Funny how only a few days before the opportunity came to come up to the mountains, I was reluctant – it seemed too much work to pack, so many things on my to do list and I was engaged in an internal wrestling match.  One of the nice things of being 58 is I have enough past experience to question these struggles to rest and I’ve learned to fight those thoughts.  How easily I can miss out on the gift God is trying to give me….rest, peace, time to slow down from all the chores at home, tasks at work, etc.

I recently finished a book about a king that was imprisioned in a dark cell for almost a year.  He went in prideful and came out seeing the free things we have been given in this world in a new and appreciative way.  Imagine seeing nothing but darkness day after day and then coming out and seeing the sky with clouds in varying colored of white, grays and lavenders, of all shapes that continually move and transform.  It’s better than any movie we could watch.  The greens of the trees, each leaf different, the shadows of birds flying in and out of the branches.  The sounds of quaking aspens that gently sing in the breeze.  Go outside, close your eyes – study the darkness before your eyes.  Then open your eyes as if for the first time – it’s pretty amazing and can easily drive a heart to thankfulness.

This will be one of the last times I sit on this deck and it is with gratitude I say goodbye.  We didn’t do anything to deserve having time here during the past decade.  The property isn’t ours but is owned by a friend of my husband’s, who had graciously extended hospitality to us but recently decided to sell.  This beautiful home has been a retreat to us, providing a quick getaway when we walked through challenging times (financial, health, losing loved ones).  It has been an unexpected act of kindness towards our family.

Some moments mold you into something better than you were.   Sometimes people come into your life that help you take the next step in your journey.  These people are going about their day and have no idea they are going to step into someone else’s lives and make a difference.  

When my daughter, Tamara, was in high school she was challenged with throwing up month after month – we would watch her crawl to the bathroom and most times her body would need an iv to replenish her fluids.  Back and forth we went to the dr but answers were slow in coming. Then one time her doctor was out and we saw someone who was filling in.  For some reason this dr couldn’t let go of what was happening to Tamara.  He called us at home asking for more information.  The next day he asked for her to be brought back into the office and soon we had an appointment for a CAT Scan at 11 a.m. in an area of town I wasn’t familiar with.  I was out of my comfort zone:   I wanted to fix this for my daughter, I wanted to remain calm – I wanted to know this would all be ok – I prayed.  On the outside, I was keeping it together.  But I don’t like not knowing where I’m going and when we finally found the imaging area, I pulled into a parking spot with 5 minutes to spare.  I noticed I parked crooked and backed up to straighten up only to bump into a car that was also backing up.  I got out of the car and noticed the woman was not happy.  What happened next is a memory I have held dear and still clouds my eyes with tears.  I began to explain I was sorry and that my daughter was ill and we had an 11 am appointment for a test.  My rambling sounded incoherent to my own ears.  But I watched a face that had been angry start to melt.  She then opened her arms to me (the mom who is supposed to be brave) and I didn’t hesitate to walk into this stranger’s embrace and cry.  She whispered in my ear “The car doesn’t matter.  It is only a bump to a fender.  Your job is to get to that appointment and take care of your child.  Be brave.  You can do this.”  She released me and I said thank you as I got my daughter out of the car and checked into the appointment.  After the test, we were asked to stay in the waiting room.  Ten minutes later, I was handed a large envelope with the test film and told to get Tamara to Banner where a bed was waiting and surgery was being scheduled for an appendectomy.  This doctor, that woman were a big part of journey.  

 What does God say about kindness?  

Proverbs 3:3 – Do not let kindness and truth leave you.  Bind them around your neck and write them on tablet of your heart.

Acts 14:17 (NIV):  He (God) has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your heart with joy.” 

Romans 11:22 (NIV):  “Consider therefore the kindness and sternest of God:  sternest to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness.”

Galatians 5:22 (NIV):  “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

Ephesians 2:7 (NIV):  “..in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”

2 Peter 1:7 – 1:3-8 (NIV)”  His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  Through these he has given his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.  For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to go godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

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Caramel Cupcakes

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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.
Deliciously Inspired http://www.deliciouslyinspired.com/
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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