Nostalgic Desserts

Wikipedia...Comfort foods are traditionally eaten foods which often provide a nostalgic or sentimental feeling to the person eating it, frequently with a high carbohydrate level and a simple preparation. The nostalgic element most comfort food has, may be specific to either the individual or a specific culture.

With that being said The Huffington Post published a list of The Best Top 25 Comfort Foods on 1-31-14. For complete Comfort Food List list see this blog posting http://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2014/09/chicken-pot-pies.html

One of my mother's favorite comfort meals was chicken pot pie which came in #18 on the list.
1. Grilled Cheese
2.Mashed Potatoes
3. Mac and Cheese
4. Cheap unauthentic tacos
5. Pizza
6. Dumpling
7. Baked Ziti
8. Tomato Soup
9. Cheeseburger
10. Chocolate Pudding

In the sweets department one of our favorites desserts growing up and having no nutritional value but super yummy was chocolate ice box cake.  

We always thought it rather magical the way Mother could take a box of Nabisco chocolate wafers

a carton of 

and a glass loaf pan

 and VIOLA! 

This yummy dessert took only few ingredients and little time to make. 

Here is a link to this dessert http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/icebox-cake

Well I felt like this banana cake would be something my mother would have loved. It's simple, moist and straightforward. FYI the frosting is the best part.   

Banana Cake with Brown Sugar Icing (Penuche)  

Cook's notes: Note the plate. It once belonged to my mother-in-law and from the 1930's. A perfect plate for this cake. 

I used a food processor to mash bananas and then added in cinnamon. The cake/bars are moist and could also be served as a morning coffee/tea treat. Keep frosted cake refrigerated.

The batter can also be used as cupcakes. Bake for 18 minutes.
Cake Ingredients:

• 2 cups of all purpose white flour or 1 cup white flour and 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
• dash of salt
• 1/3 cup softened butter
• 1-1/4 cups white sugar
• 2 beaten large eggs
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
• 4 mashed bananas (about 1-1/2 cups)
• 1 TB. Saigon cinnamon or 1 tsp. regular cinnamon
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Sift flour, baking powder and salt-set aside.
• In a bowl cream butter, sugar and beaten eggs.
• Dissolve baking soda in buttermilk, add to sugar mixture and combine with dry ingredients.
• Add in lemon juice, cinnamon, mashed bananas and mix well. 
• Stir in nuts and bake in a greased 13 x 9 pan for 30 minutes or until center comes clean using a toothpick.
• Cool cake before frosting.

Frosting Ingredients:

• 3 TB. butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup milk (may need more)
• dash salt
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2-1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup toasted coconut
• 3/4 cup chopped nuts

Directions:

• In a saucepan melt butter on low heat, stir in brown sugar, milk, salt and vanilla.
• Cook and stir on low heat till sugar dissolved and smooth about 1-2 minutes.
• Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar.
• Use a hand mixer and beat frosting until smooth in the saucepan (may need some milk for right consistency). 
• Garnish with chopped nuts and toasted coconut.