Twins Birthday Party = TWO Cakes

As you know or just read (via my blog) my twins just turned 17 years old this past Saturday (needless to say busy weekend)! And this year first time EVER they asked for TWO cakes, and of course mom was happy to oblige. I was asked to make a FUNFETTI Cake (okay, easy, right out of a box!!!) and a CHOCOLATE BANANA CAKE (that one, not quite so easy)! I think the second one my daughter just pulled out of her head, I have never ever made a Chocolate Banana Cake and we have never even eaten a Chocolate Banana Cake. I headed right over to my trusty little Internet search and WOOLA... a Chocolate Banana Cake from the Joy of Baking.

The parties were a blast, yes BOTH parties! We had a daytime party for close family & friends. We played baseball (and had baseball cupcakes, of course); grilled hotdogs, ate cracker jacks and cotton candy. I made the girls their all-time favorite dip (Pan-Fried Onion Dip...posting tomorrow) and G'ma made her famous yummy potatoes (I'll have to post that recipe soon too). Then in the evening the girls had their 12 closest friends come over for a sleep-over and some COOKING FUN (I can't wait to post what they did... let's just say COOKING SCAVENGER HUNT and BBQ PIZZAS).



Funfetti Bundt Cake
not much needs to be said (it's just perfect right out of the box)
We did use a homemade frosting (see below for recipe)!

Buttercream Frosting

from Your Homebased Mom

3 sticks butter, softened

2 lbs. powdered sugar (approx. 7 cups)

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

whipping cream or 1/2 and 1/2 – enough to thin frosting to desired consistency

Beat butter in mixer on medium high  for 2-3 minutes or until pale and creamy.  Reduce speed to medium and add sugar, 1/2 cup at a time.  Beat well after each addition increasing speed to high after all sugar is added. Add vanilla and food coloring if desired.  Beat until buttercream is smooth.  Can be refrigerated for several days if covered.  If refrigerating, bring to room temperature before using and beat on low until smooth.

Chocolate Banana Cake
we did NOT use the Chocolate Frosting in Joy of Baking recipe
my daughter LOVES LOVES the Buttercream Frosting (recipe above)

Chocolate Banana Cake

found over at Joy of Baking

2 cups granulated white sugar

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup cocoa powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2 large eggs

1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium sized bananas)

1 cup warm water

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup canola oil

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place rack in the center of the oven. Butter, or spray with a non stick vegetable spray, a 9 x 13 inch pan. Set aside.  In a large bowl whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In another large bowl, whisk together the eggs, mashed bananas, water, milk, oil, and vanilla extract. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir, or whisk, until combined. You will notice that the batter is quite thin. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.   Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack. When completely cooled, frost with Buttercream frosting (above).



Happy Birthday (once again girls).... until next year! HAVE AN AWESOME & BLESSED 17th year!