Friday, February 25, 2011

Aunt Mary's Birthday Cake with Two Cream Frosting



When I was growing up, we were fortunate to live near my Aunt Mary and Uncle John's family.  Aunt Mary and Uncle John had ten children and our family had five children.  We celebrated many birthdays together; we also played countless games of flashlight tag together.  During the game, one could hear "One, two, three I see Joni" or "Olley olley umphrey all home free."  Those of us hiding would taunt the person on goal with noises or calls of "hootie - whoo."   

When we went to Aunt Mary's home (Uncle John died when I was very young), it seemed to me that we would always have a three layer birthday cake.  I always loved it.  Later in life I talked to Jacqueline about Aunt Mary's cake, and she said it was just a three layer cake with whispped cream and bananas.  I have made my  version of "Aunt Mary's Birthday Cake" a couple of times for my family and we love it.  Aunt Mary's cake definitely didn't have a two cream frosting, but this frosting works so well with this cake.

Aunt Mary's Cake makes an impressive party cake.


For the white cake, this time I used a recipe from a Better Homes and Garden's magazine -- it was a delicious, moist white cake!  Aunt Mary always colored her layers:  white, pink, and green.

This photo provides a better shot of the bananas peeking out.


My Version of Aunt Mary's Birthday Cake

You will need three layers of white cake, 2-3 bananas, and a batch of Two Cream frosting.

Recipe for Classic White Cake

The secret is to make sure you don't over bake your cake.  Take the layers out a minute or so before you "think" they are done.

6 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, softened
2-2/3 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups buttermilk

Separate eggs.  Allow egg whites to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes (reserve yolks for another use).  Meanwhile, grease three 8 x 1-/2 -inch round cake pans.  Line bottoms of pans with parchment paper.  Grease parchment paper and lightly flour pans; set aside.  In medium bowl stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In large mixing bowl, beat butter with electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.  Add sugar and vanilla; beat until well combined.  Add egg whites all at once; beat on medium-high for 3 minutes.  Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk to butter mixture, beating on low after each addition just until combined.  Divide batter into prepared pans. 

Bake in preheated oven 30 to 35 minutes or until a wooden toothpick or skewer inserted near centers comes out clean.  Cool cakes in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes.  Remove layers from pans.  Cool thoroughly on racks.

Two Cream Frosting

1 cup Whipped Cream
1 cup Sour Cream -- don't use low fat
5-6 tablespoons sugar

Whip cream in a medium bowl and then gradually add the sugar.  Fold in sour cream. 

Assembly of Cake

Place one layer of cake on cake stand; frost top of cake and add sliced bananas.  Place second layer on top of first and frost top of cake and add sliced  bananas.  Place third layer on top of second layer then frost all layers of cake.  For stability, you may wish to insert three to four thin wooden dowels or skewer.



Refrigerate cake two hours before serving.  This will allow the frosting to harden.  The cake also tastes marvelous the next day.  Because of the cream, any leftovers must be refrigerated.


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31 comments:

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

This sounds so good, and my husband's birthday is the 29th (leap year baby). I am going to make it this week! Thank you.

Love the story of your family's celebrations - 15 kids, that's alot!!

Unknown said...

oh my this looks delicious! i would have never thought to put bananas in between the layers...i think you have given me an idea for a banoffee cake ;)

The Sewing and Knitting Loft said...

This does sound delicious and looks beautiful too. As soon as I saw in the cake recipe..."save yolks for another use"....I thought of making lemon curd to use as filling. Thanks for sharing

Barb

Anonymous said...

That looks amazing! When I saw the cake in your tablescape yesterday, I was hoping you would share the recipe!

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

All I can say is Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! I love whipped cream and bananas together, so I know this would be a fabulous cake! Isn't it nice to be able to recreate such a fond childhood memory?

Take care.

Bonnie said...

Beautiful cake and it looks DELICIOUS! I will bookmark this one.

Aunt Mary's cake and traditions sound so special. I bet your kids will continue it on. My mother-in-law always made the best and prettiest homemade caramel cake. I tried many times and it is hard to get right. She gave my daughter and I a lesson this Christmas on her tricks to get the icing just right. The trouble is you forget from Christmas to next Christmas.

Lynn said...

All I can say is that cake screams celebration! Very nice Joni! I also like the lemon curd idea above:@)

Holly said...

This cake sounds delish!! Very nice looking too;)

Joy Tilton said...

Joni, this looks fabulous! I can't tell you how thrilled I am when you share these family recipes that are priceless. I can't wait to try this at our next celebration!

Beth said...

What a pretty cake, and looks delicious too. I'd love a spot at your table to try some of your Red Couch Recipes - what a fabulous cook you are, Joni! Thanks so much for sponsoring the CSN giveaway. I am very blessed to have won. I believe I will be adding china to my collection - I'll post photos when received! Thanks again!
Blessings, Beth

www.thewhitefarmhouse2.blogspot.com said...

Oh, this cake looks so good! I am going to have to make this really soon. I have spent so much time in the kitchen that my hubby is getting a bit chubby! He's not complaining though! I made your lemon chicken and it was a hit! Everyone loved it!

Miss Merry said...

That cake is so mouthwatering! I have two nine inch cake pans that were my grandmothers and just found a third one at goodwill. Fate? I think so!

We used to play tag in the dark in the cornstalks (very dangerous to anyone who has ever been in the cornstalks). I can remember Olly Olly in Free - but I wish we had the Hootie Who!

Oklahoma Granny said...

Oh, my word! That sounds so wonderful.

Dawn said...

oh yum! looks and sounds delicious-i could so go for a piece right now! thanks for sharing your recipe!

Andi said...

Um yes please!! That looks and sound absolutely delicious! My husband loves banana desserts so this would be a perfect birthday cake for him.

Stopping by from Weekend Wrap up! :-D

Sue said...

This cake sounds delicious and looks beautiful, Joni! White cake is one of my favorites! You and your family have so many fun traditions:)

Pondside said...

I want this for my birthday cake!

Alea Milham said...

This sounds as good as it looks! I will definitely be trying two cream frosting very soon - whether I have a cake to frost or not. :) Seriously I bet it would be fantastic on berries

Avalon Cat Cartoons said...

I'd kill for such a cake. It brought you a new follower. I hope you'll follow my blog too ;-)

~Avalon, http://avalon-lion.blogspot.com

La said...

Could you please mail me a slice? :o)

Renée said...

My grandma used to make a cake that is very similar to Aunt Mary's. That generation just knew how to do it! Thanks Joni for sharing your sweet memory with us. I'm going to make this for my Beehives ;D

Anonymous said...

That is a beautiful cake! It sounds so delicious!! I would love a slice with a glass of milk for my breakfast! :)
Thanks so much for popping in to see me.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Kristen said...

What a treat it must have been for you to be served a slice of that colorful cake. Thanks for sharing this family recipe.

Christina said...

What a great looking cake!

Jacqueline said...

Looks so yummy. I remember her cakes. I thought the pink and green layers were the prettiest things I had ever seen. Glad to be back!

Jamie said...

My blog has not been updating your posts. :(

At first it was telling me you were not even here anymore. So glad I was able to find you.

This cake looks marvelous, and your tablescape is so fresh.

Anonymous said...

THAT looks amazing! I would love a seat on your red couch today! anne

FabFrugalFood said...

That cake! And such pretty plates, too. Where did you get them???

Humble Homemaker said...

Sounds delicious! I will be trying this for sure. :)
Humble Homemaking

Romantic Dinner said...

wow very tasty food your idea is very attractive.

Travel Tourism said...

Oh very sweet and tasty food I like this food can thanks for the nice idea and instruction I love more than.

Engageya