A Backyard Bridal Shower

How sweet is this bridal shower? The always-delightful i am baker put together the happy table and lunchtime soiree, which only cost just over $20 (luckily for her, she has the black-eyed susans in her backyard!). 

How did she do it? She used vases and mason jars she already had, a table she already had -- and baked cakes and cookies from scratch. She purchased three yards of white fabric for less than $6 and used white popcorn containers as sandwich holders. The most expensive thing on her menu -- the gourmet salt and pepper chips!

 Now for the best part  -- the banana cake recipe!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups bananas, mashed, ripe
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 3 cups cake flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 2 1/2 cups sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk

Frosting:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 1/2 cups powder sugar (I used regular granulated sugar... so it was a very heavy texture)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 275°.

2. Grease and flour a 9 x 13 pan. (or whatever pan size you choose)

3. In a small bowl, mix mashed banana with the lemon juice; set aside

4. In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt; set aside

5. In a large bowl, cream 3/4 cup butter and 2 1/2 cups sugar until light and fluffy.

6. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then stir in 2 tsp vanilla

7. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk.

8. Stir in banana mixture.

9. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake in preheated oven for one hour or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

10. Remove from oven and place directly into the freezer for 45 minutes. This will make the cake very moist.

11.  For the frosting, cream the butter and cream cheese until smooth.

12.  Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla.

13.  Add icing sugar and beat on low speed until combined, then on high speed until frosting is smooth.

14.  Spread on cooled cake.

Images Courtesy: i am baker