Author Topic: Mrs Woo's Banana Cake  (Read 30031 times)

Offline meganjane

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Mrs Woo's Banana Cake
« on: December 05, 2011, 01:50:45 am »
Mrs Woo was a parent at the school where my sister's children attended many years ago. She brought along a delicious banana cake to an event one day and my sister asked for the recipe. Ever since then it's the only banana cake we make.

I've made loads of different versions. Sometimes I add cinnamon and grated orange rind, sometimes mixed spice and sometimes I use buttermilk.
I've also made 1 1/2 times the quantity. My sister has also made a delicious Ambrosia Cake from this recipe.

Mrs Woo's Banana Cake

125g soft butter or butter blend
125g caster sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups plain flour
1 tsp bi-carb
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp mixed spice
2 Tbsp milk
1 Tbsp lime juice (lemon will do)
3 large ripe bananas

Mash bananas with milk and add lime juice. Set aside.
Blend butter and sugar on speed 3 for 20 seconds. Add eggs one at a time and mix for another 20 to 30 seconds.
Add in sifted dry ingredients (can 'sift' them together first and remove from bowl) and banana mixture.
Mix for 10 seconds or so until incorporated fully. Use spatula if necessary.

Cook in moderate oven for 40 minutes. I use a ring tin normally and a Kugelhopf tin when I made the larger quantity.

Ice with cream cheese icing with a little added lemon juice and rind
Leave plain and butter slices.
Ice with Lemon Icing
Top with melted butter and cinnamon while still warm and serve straight away - yummo!

Variations
* Substitute cinnamon for mixed spice and add the grated rind of an orange.
* Use buttermilk in place of milk.
* Add choc chips, grated orange rind and chopped dates for Ambrosia Cake
* Make in muffin tins.

Picture below is one normal sized batch in a small Kugelopf tin.






« Last Edit: December 07, 2011, 04:08:53 am by meganjane »
A great cook is one who can rustle up a fabulous family meal with some freezer burnt chops, wilted carrots, sprouting potatoes and cabbage that's gone brown on the cut edges.
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Offline cookie1

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Re: Mrs Woo's Banana Cake
« Reply #1 on: December 05, 2011, 05:39:47 am »
This sounds lovely MJ. Isn't it funny how we give names like this to recipes. I have Phil's peppermint slice, Jane's stained glass window cake etc.
May all dairy items in your fridge be of questionable vintage.

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Offline meganjane

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Re: Mrs Woo's Banana Cake
« Reply #2 on: December 05, 2011, 01:08:41 pm »
I love recipes that have people's names and I love hearing the story behind them!
A great cook is one who can rustle up a fabulous family meal with some freezer burnt chops, wilted carrots, sprouting potatoes and cabbage that's gone brown on the cut edges.
The Bush Gourmand

Offline Moo2

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Re: Mrs Woo's Banana Cake
« Reply #3 on: December 17, 2011, 08:14:22 am »
This was lovely MJ. I made it this morning as I had a few tired looking bananas which I was about to freeze but I remembered seeing this post. We had friends over and it went down a treat. Lovely and moist and although I love nuts in banana cake, I didn't miss them in this. I have no idea how well it would keep as it all went. I made it in a loaf tin and it cooked beautifully in the stated time. Thanks.

Offline meganjane

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Re: Mrs Woo's Banana Cake
« Reply #4 on: December 17, 2011, 12:08:26 pm »
It doesn't keep very long, only about three days, but I generally find it doesn't last that long anyway! I often freeze half of it if I've only got one man to feed.
A great cook is one who can rustle up a fabulous family meal with some freezer burnt chops, wilted carrots, sprouting potatoes and cabbage that's gone brown on the cut edges.
The Bush Gourmand

Offline milnead

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Re: Mrs Woo's Banana Cake
« Reply #5 on: December 18, 2011, 08:32:55 am »
Hi, meganjane,

Would  you take 1 1/2 cups flour to mean 200 g or so? :-\

Thanks!

Offline fundj&e

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Re: Mrs Woo's Banana Cake
« Reply #6 on: December 18, 2011, 10:05:43 am »
milnead its about 230g. i think we all fill our cups differently :-))
i don't need a recipe i'm italian

Offline CreamPuff63

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Re: Mrs Woo's Banana Cake
« Reply #7 on: December 18, 2011, 01:28:03 pm »
yep I would say 230 also
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Offline meganjane

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Re: Mrs Woo's Banana Cake
« Reply #8 on: December 18, 2011, 01:30:32 pm »
Yes, I meant to convert it to grams. My cup measurement is 140g, so 1 1/2 is 210g. I don't pack it down.
A great cook is one who can rustle up a fabulous family meal with some freezer burnt chops, wilted carrots, sprouting potatoes and cabbage that's gone brown on the cut edges.
The Bush Gourmand

Offline RosieB

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Re: Mrs Woo's Banana Cake
« Reply #9 on: December 22, 2011, 11:07:23 am »
Thanks for sharing this one MJ..
Tried it today as I had a few tired bananas.
The mixture did not go as far as I expected so my main cake was a bit small,  But they are YUMMMM.
1 small cake and 6 large muffins.
Rosalie, from the Sunshine Coast, Qld.
Retired, full time carer for my 8YO Grandson with Asperger's Syndrome. 
I love gardening and cooking.

Offline cookie1

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Re: Mrs Woo's Banana Cake
« Reply #10 on: December 23, 2011, 12:21:06 am »
Rosie I love the muffin shapes. Very impressive.
May all dairy items in your fridge be of questionable vintage.

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Offline meganjane

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Re: Mrs Woo's Banana Cake
« Reply #11 on: December 24, 2011, 08:34:20 am »
Gorgeous shapes! I sometimes make 1 1/2 times the amount for a bigger cake. Works just as well.
A great cook is one who can rustle up a fabulous family meal with some freezer burnt chops, wilted carrots, sprouting potatoes and cabbage that's gone brown on the cut edges.
The Bush Gourmand

Offline RosieB

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Re: Mrs Woo's Banana Cake
« Reply #12 on: December 24, 2011, 08:44:21 am »
Gorgeous shapes! I sometimes make 1 1/2 times the amount for a bigger cake. Works just as well.
Rosie I love the muffin shapes. Very impressive.
Thanks.  I use the silicon muffin moulds.  I have a collection of shapes and sizes and love the way they look,
And just need to drizzle with icing or dust with sugar to get a good look.
I will try 1 1/2 next time as DGS likes muffin size cakes.  He is not keen on slices.
Rosalie, from the Sunshine Coast, Qld.
Retired, full time carer for my 8YO Grandson with Asperger's Syndrome. 
I love gardening and cooking.

Offline Denzelmum

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Re: Mrs Woo's Banana Cake
« Reply #13 on: January 03, 2012, 02:30:55 am »
DD requested banana cake.  While DS having his day nap, made this with DD - she had fun baking this.  In the oven now.  Thanks, MJ!
Vegetarian family in Sydney

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Offline Denzelmum

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Re: Mrs Woo's Banana Cake
« Reply #14 on: January 03, 2012, 04:24:21 am »
Yum... DD has second and third pieces!  She's very proud of her yummy banana cake.
Vegetarian family in Sydney

When you take time to prepare healthy food for family and friends, you are offering them a special gift.  Not only will they feel nourished by the nutrients in the food but also by your generosity in creating delicious treats for their enjoyment.