1-2-3-4 Cupcakes

Here are the cupcakes I made for my boys for Easter! I used my mother's recipe for "1-2-3-4 Cake". My boys will always have very fond memories of the cakes my mother would bring them. She was an expert at making this delicious cake with a fudge frosting. She perfected the frosting and it was just fabulous. I have yet to be successful with the fudge frosting. It always sets too fast for me and it becomes one large un-spreadable mess. I really wish I knew her secret.

For today's cupcakes I just used Wilton's buttercream frosting and sprinkled them with rainbow jimmies or sprinkles.

1-2-3-4 Cake

1 cup shortening or butter, margarine (I use canola oil)
2 cups sugar
3 cups flour
3 tsp. baking powder
4 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Cream shortening, sugar, add eggs, beat well. Add flour and baking powder mixed well alternately with milk. Add vanilla.

Bake in a 9 x 11" pan 350° for 30 minutes.
Cupcakes: 18-19 large cupcakes 350° for 25 minutes.

Enjoy :)

Banana Nut Cake

Do you have ripe bananas that no one wants to eat? Here's a way to use them up and not waste them (bananas can be frozen) The following is a yummy and easy recipe for a delicious banana cake.

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour*
(*or 1 1/2 cup all purpose + 1 cup whole wheat white)
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1 1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2/3 cup canola oil
1 2/3 cup sugar
2 large eggs
3 large ripe bananas - mashed
2/3 cup of buttermilk*
(*or 2/3 cup milk + 1 tbsp vinegar = instead of buttermilk)
2/3 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350°. Sift together the flour, baking powder and baking soda and set aside. Cream together the oil, sugar and eggs. Add bananas. Then add flour mixture + buttermilk alternating them, starting with flour mixture, then the buttermilk and finally end with flour. Mix thoroughly. Fold in 2/3 cup chopped walnuts. Pour batter into greased 13 x9 x 2" pan. Bake 350° for 35 minutes. Cool.

Frost with your favorite white frosting. I used Wilton's Buttercream. I used about 1/2 the recipe.

Enjoy :)