Banana bread pudding

1/3 cup raisins or currants

2 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup dark rum

2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter

3 bananas, peeled, halved crosswise and then lengthwise

5 tablespoons sugar

2 cups whipping cream

4 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

8 ounces firm white bread slices, crusts trimmed, each slice cut into 3 strips

1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans (about 2 ounces)

Rum Sauce

RUM SAUCE:

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

1/2 cup whipping cream

1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar

Pinch of salt

2 tablespoons dark rum

To prepare banana bread pudding

Combine raisins and 2 tablespoons rum in a small bowl. let it for 20 minutes. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add bananas and 2 tablespoons sugar and cook until bananas are tender, about 2 minutes per side. Remove from heat. Combine whipping cream, eggs, vanilla extract and remaining 1/4 cup rum and 3 tablespoons sugar in a medium bowl and whisk to blend. Preheat oven to 350F. Butter 9X5X3-inch loaf pan. Arrange 1/3 of bread strips crosswise in bottom of prepared pan. Arrange 6 banana pieces atop bread. Sprinkle with half of raisins and half of pecans. Arrange 1/3 of bread strips crosswise atop bananas. Pour half of egg mixture over. Arrange remaining banana pieces atop bread. Sprinkle with remaining raisins and pecans. Arrange remaining bread strips crosswise atop bananas. Pour remaining egg mixture over. Press gently on top layer to compact. Let stand 15 minutes. Bake bread pudding until puffed and golden and knife inserted into center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Transfer to rack and cool slightly.

Cut bread pudding into slices. Arrange on plates; drizzle

with warm Rum Sauce and serve.

Make rum sauce (Makes about 1 cup):

Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add cream, sugar and salt. Bring to boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat. Stir in rum.

This cake can prepared 2 days before and can be refrigerated. it serves 6 to 8 persons

This banana cake is just the right size for a small family. Serve this banana cake as a snack cake or as a dessert.

you need

4 ounces butter, softened

3/4 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed

1 large egg

2 to 3 bananas, mashed, about 3/4 cup

1/4 cup buttermilk or sour milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 scant teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Preparation

Heat oven to 350. Grease and flour an 8- or 9-inch square pan. In a large mixing bowl with electric mixer, cream butter and brown sugar. Beat in egg, milk, vanilla, and mashed banana until blended.

Combine remaining dry ingredients and spices. Stir the dry ingredients into the first mixture until moistened. Spread in prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until cake springs back when lightly touched with finger.

Frost with a cream cheese frosting or sprinkle with powdered sugar.

banana split cake

Banana split cake made with banana filling and chocolate frosting.

You need

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, stir or sift before measuring

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup milk

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup caramel sauce

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

Banana Filling, below

Chocolate Frosting, below

Preparation

Grease and floured bottoms of two 9-inch layer cake pans. Sift together the 2 1/2 cups flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and soda. Add to sifted ingredients the 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup butter, and caramel sauce.

Spoon into the prepared cake pans. Bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes. Fill with Banana Filling and Frost.

to prepare Banana Filling

3/4 cup confectioners' sugar

1/4 cup flour

1/2 cup milk

5 tablespoons butter

2 ripe but firm bananas, sliced

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine confectioners' sugar, flour, and milk in a saucepan; cook, stirring, until smooth. Continue cooking until mixture thickens; transfer to mixing bowl, cover, and chill thoroughly. Beat butter into the chilled mixture, a tablespoon at a time. Fold in sliced bananas and vanilla.

Chocolate Frosting

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup caramel sauce

2 tablespoons butter

1 1/4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a saucepan, combine chocolate chips, caramel sauce, and butter. Cook over low heat until chocolate is melted; blend in confectioners' sugar and vanilla. If necessary, thin frosting with a little milk.

This is the easy way to make banana cake

Easy banana cake

1 box yellow cake mix

1 pkg. (3 3/4 oz.) vanilla or banana instant pudding

4 eggs (may use Egg Beaters)

1 c. water

1/4 c. Puritan oil

1/2 c. nuts (optional)

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix all ingredients well. Pour into a greased 13x9 inch pan and bake in a 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes. Cool and frost.

Quicl and easy frosting

1 (12 oz.) container Cool Whip

1 med. can crushed pineapple

1/2 pkg. instant vanilla pudding

Mix all ingredients well and spread on cooled cake. Store in refrigerator.