Thursday, September 4, 2014

Banana Pound Cake with Vanilla Bean Glaze

An extra moist banana pound cake covered in a thick vanilla bean glaze, it's like banana pudding in a slice of cake!

Banana Pound Cake
Banana Pound Cake with Vanilla Bean Glaze

I made this cake due to the fact that there were more than a few over ripe bananas on my counter begging me to make them into something delicious and beautiful before it was too late. Isn't that how all banana cake/bread/muffin recipes come into being? Oh good, it's not just me. My son swears that I buy bananas just to watch them start to turn so that I will then have an excuse to bake them into something. What an insult, like I need an excuse to bake:) 

I knew I was going to make a cake, but I wasn't sure about what I wanted to glaze it with. Chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla-so many delicious choices. I settled on vanilla bean. I am so glad I did, this was like eating banana pudding in cake form! The cake is moist and the banana flavor is prominent. Using over ripe bananas is the key to getting that full on banana flavor. The glaze, flecked with vanilla bean seeds, not only makes this extra pretty it takes this cake to a whole new level. When the glaze is completely set, it makes a thin shell right on top, but keeps a creamy consistency underneath. 

Banana Pound Cake
Banana Pudding in cake form!
An easy cake to make, the baking time is the longest thing required. So the next time your bananas are hanging on, waiting for you to give them new life, make them into this yumminess. They will thank you with sweet deliciousness!


Banana Pound Cake w/ Vanilla Bean Glaze


3 Cups All Purpose Flour
2 and 1/2 Cups Sugar
1 and 1/4 Cup Mashed Banana
1 Cup Canola Oil
1 Cup Sour Cream
5 Eggs
2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 Teaspoon Salt

For the glaze:
2 Cups Powdered Sugar
3 Tablespoons Evaporated Milk
1 Vanilla Bean – Split and seeds scraped


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray bundt cake pan with nonstick spray. In a small bowl combine flour, baking soda and salt. In stand mixer or with hand mixer cream together sugar, oil, banana, cinnamon and vanilla extract about two minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Alternately add flour mixture and sour cream in thirds, beginning and ending with flour mixture. This will not be a thick batter. Place cake in oven and turn oven to 325 degrees. Bake one hour and fifteen minutes at 325 degrees. Make sure to test cake for doneness with a wooden skewer, depending on how your oven runs it may take a few minutes more or a few minutes less. Let cake cool in pan ten minutes, remove and let cool completely before glazing.

To make glaze combine powdered sugar, vanilla bean seeds and the evaporated milk. Mix all together thoroughly and pour immediately over cooled cake. Three tablespoons of the evaporated milk worked perfect for me, this will be a thick glaze.



©Christy’s Cooking Creations. Please do not use my images without prior consent. Please link back to this post even if recreating and posting this recipe in your own words.















Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Grilled Chicken and Couscous Salad

Smart Party Planning

Try this tasty grilled chicken, couscous, tomato and spinach salad with a tangy vinaigrette. Big on flavor, low in fat! Dinner or lunch in less than thirty minutes.

Grilled chicken, couscous, spinach and tomato salad with homemade vinaigrette.
Grilled chicken, couscous, spinach and tomato salad with homemade vinaigrette.
September has arrived but summer is still raging here in the south. Salad is on the menu as long as the temperature is still reaching ninety plus degrees. I think August and September decided

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Sweet Tea Bread with Lemon Glaze

Sweet tea, a favorite beverage of the south, baked into a delicious lemon glazed bread.

Sweet Tea Bread
Sweet Tea Bread with Lemon Glaze

My very first post, Raspberry Coffee Bread, was June 30th. Seems like eons have passed, even though it was only two short months ago. I have learned so much about this blogging business. I also know that it is only one percent of what I need to know. I am also fairly certain that blogging is an evergrowing world of which will I will always be trying to absorb new and useful information. I'm okay with that. I consider this an adventure in

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Chili Burger

My version of homemade sloppy joe made with V-8 juice that doubles as a perfect hot dog chili for your Labor Day cookout! 

Homemade Chili
Chili Burger
The original recipe for this chili burger comes from a dear woman I have known for twenty plus years. She is the grandmother of my children, her name is Carolyn. She has a

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Skinny Salmon Alfredo with Artichokes


Salmon, whole wheat pasta and artichokes come together for a lightened up version of alfredo, and in less than thirty minutes!

Skinny Salmon Alfredo
I love Alfredo, but sometimes I feel so guilty after eating it! But, when a food craving hits, it is hard to ignore. You just aren't happy

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Very Cherry Cheesecake Bites

Little bites of cherry cheesecake filled with diced maraschino cherries and crushed graham crackers. These no bake treats are pure bliss!

Cheesecake Bites
Cheesecake bites filled with diced maraschino cherries and hunks of graham cracker crumbs!
These cherry cheesecake bites come to you courtesy of the one cup of graham cracker flour left over from the s'mores scones. A few more ingredients, chilling and rolling time and you too can have little

Monday, August 18, 2014

"Unfried Pickles" with Greek Yogurt Dipping Sauce

A healthier version of a southern favorite, this oven baked pickle with greek yogurt dipping sauce satisfies your craving without busting your calorie budget!

Baked Pickles
Baked Sandwich Stuffer Pickles
I don't know about where you call home; but fried pickles are big, serious business here in my neck of the woods. Here in the south