This old-fashioned vintage banana cake recipe is light and fluffy just like when Grandma made it. This vintage cake recipe is from the 1940's and found in a cookbook from Dover Ohio.
Prepare two 9 inch cake pans by greasing them with solid shortening and flouring them.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix flour with all of the dry ingredients and whisk to incorporate.
Mash 3 bananas in a medium sized bowl.
Cream the butter and sugar.
Add eggs to the butter and sugar one at a time and beat until fluffy.
Add buttermilk and vanilla to the bananas and mix well.
Fold banana mixture into the sugar, butter and eggs and mix well.
Slowly fold flour mixture into the other ingredients. Fold until all ingredients are moist.
Pour batter into the prepared cake pans.
Bake for 30 minutes or until the center spring back.
Recipe Expert Tips
Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure ingredients such as eggs, butter, and milk are at room temperature. This facilitates better mixing and helps achieve the correct texture and volume.
Sift Dry Ingredients: Sifting flour and other dry ingredients not only removes lumps but also aerates the mixture, leading to a lighter, fluffier cake.
Be Precise: Old-fashioned recipes were created in an era when baking was an exact science. Use precise measurements for all ingredients, and consider investing in a kitchen scale for accuracy.
Oven Temperature Accuracy: Oven temperatures can be finicky and often inaccurate in older models. Use an oven thermometer to ensure the correct baking temperature, as even a slight variance can impact the cake's outcome.
Patience is Key: Unlike modern cakes designed for speed and convenience, old-fashioned cakes might require more delicate handling and longer cooking times. Avoid opening the oven door frequently, as this can cause sudden temperature drops and affect the cake’s rise.