This is a really old traditional “party cake”.  Everyone will KNOW you made it from scratch!

Ingredients:

• 3 c flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 ½ tsp cinnamon ground
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 ¾ c sugar
• 12 Tab butter, softened (1 ½ sticks)
• 3 eggs
• 1 c low fat buttermilk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 c chopped ripe banana
• ½ c chopped toasted pecans
• 1 8oz can crushed pineapple

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Coat 2 8×4 loaf pan with baking spray and a light dusting of flour.
3. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Stir to mix with a whisk.
4. Place sugar and butter in a large bowl, beat with a mixer on medium until well mixed.
5. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
6. Beat in vanilla .
7. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
8. Fold in banana, pecans,, and crushed pineapple.
9. Spoon batter into prepared pan.
10. Bake at 350° for 45 – 60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs clinging.
11. Cool 5 minutes in pans on a wire rack.
12. Remove from pans.
13. Cut in half lengthwise and slice into ½ inch pieces crosswise.

Or bake it the more traditional way in 2 9 inch round pans.

Bourbon Glaze

Ingredients:

• 2/3 c powdered sugar
• 2 Tab bourbon
• 2 Tab melted butter
• ½ tsp vanilla

Directions:

1. Stir until smooth.
2. Drizzle over cakes.

Serves: 64 slices.

Source: Cooking Light December 2011

Comment: You can make the cake up to two weeks ahead and wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze (without the glaze). Defrost overnight in the refrigerator and glaze.