Initially I planned a grand soiree for Briggy's first birthday. I wanted to do a whole monkey theme with brown and yellow galore. I wanted to serve banana cake and cupcakes, chocolate dipped bananas (my monkey fingers), banana yogurt smoothies...all sorts of monkey delights. Well, all of my plans changed when Tom took the job in Texas. I just don't have the heart to throw such a fun party without Daddy around. But, I want Briggy to have fun...so I decided to just have family over for a small lunch/cake. I still plan on making a "low-sugar" banana cake for Brigster to attack, and I bought some cheapy Sesame Street plates and streamers to liven up the kitchen. Cross your fingers that I can get my camera fixed in time!
I can't believe my little chicken nugget is almost ONE YEAR OLD. I keep having day dreams of when Briggy was just brand-new and how I could NOT LET HIM GO! I held him all day long. The only time I set him down was to use the bathroom! I just held him and rocked him and kissed him....now, I only get to do that right before nap/nightime or when he gets a boo-boo...and that only lasts about a minute or so. He is always on the go, my little Brigs!
Anyway, here is the recipe I plan on making for his birthday. The frosting seems like it still has a lot of sugar in it, any of you have any healthier recipes for frosting?
BANANA CAKE
2/3 c. banana, mashed
1/2 c. butter, softened
3 lg. eggs
3/4 c. water
2 c. unbleached flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
Optional: 1 c. chopped walnuts OR 1/2 c. chopped walnuts & 1/2 c. raisins
Grease and flour a 9 x 13 inch pan. Beat together mashed banana and soft butter until creamy. Beat in water. In a separate bowl, beat eggs until very foamy. Beat into mixture. Blend in flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon. Beat until smooth. Stir in walnuts or walnuts and raisins, if desired. Spread batter evenly in pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out clean. Cool. Serves 8-10.
Cream Cheese Frosting
2 8 Oz packages cream cheese
2 4 Oz stick unsalted butter (room temperature)
6 Cup(s) sifted powdered sugar
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 Tsp almond extract
1/2 Teaspoon lemon juice
Steps
In a stand alone mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together the butter and cream cheese until smooth. *Tip: Be careful not to over mix the two. Cream Cheese has more water content, and become runny if over mixed.
Add vanilla extract and lemon juice
Sift powder sugar, and slowly add to cream cheese butter mixture on low speed in thirds. Use more or less powder sugar depending on how thick you want your frosting.
(I think I'm gonna skip the almond extract, because I haven't introduced nuts yet..and I don't think it really affects the flavor of the frosting that much...)
