In the early 1980s, my grandmother spent a Saturday afternoon teaching me how to make her Banana Spice Cake. I’m not sure why they call it meerschaum frosting, but I can tell you… it tastes delicious!
What I really enjoy about this recipe is the right combination of sweet buttermilk, sweet plantains, and spices. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can substitute regular milk.
Banana Spice Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups sifted flour
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
2/3 cup shortening
1 1/4 cups mashed ripe plantains
2 eggs
2/3 cup buttermilk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, sift together all the dry ingredients. Add shortening, buttermilk, and mashed bananas. Mix all the ingredients until the flour is moist and everything is well combined.
Lightly spray two 9″ round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Pour batter evenly into each pan and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35 minutes or until center of cakes is set.
Meerschaum Glaze Recipe
Ingredients:
2 egg whites
1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed firmly
5 tablespoons of water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a double boiler, combine the egg whites, brown sugar, water and salt…beating lightly to blend the ingredients. Place over rapidly boiling water; beat with electric mixer on medium speed, until frosting forms peaks (about 6 minutes). Remove from heat and add the vanilla extract and beat again until the mixture is thick enough to spread on your cooled cake.