Banana Cake Time!!!

Yummy!! This is one of my "signature" recipes. Banana Cake with Pecan-Crumb Topping is a recipe I found in Good Housekeeping. I modified the recipe by adding pecans to the batter so the cake has a bit more texture to it. I also double the crumb topping so it actually covers the entire cake instead of just part of it. Here is the recipe with my amounts I use for the topping. I cook it on 350* for closer to 35 minutes. I like the topping to get nice and browned so when it cooks it's kind of crunchy :)

Pecan-Crumb Topping

• 2/3 cup(s) packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup(s) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) ground cinnamon
• 4 tablespoon(s) butter or margarine, cold
• 1 cu cup(s) pecans, chopped

Banana Cake

• 1 1/3 cup(s) (about 4 medium) fully ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 tablespoon(s) fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
• 2 cup(s) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon(s) baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon(s) ground cinnamon
• Salt
• 1/2 cup(s) (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
• 3/4 cup(s) packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup(s) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs

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Directions

1. Prepare Pecan-Crumb Topping: In medium bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. With pastry blender or 2 knives used scissors-fashion, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in pecans; set aside.
   
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease 13" by 9" metal baking pan.
3. Prepare Banana Cake: In small bowl, mix bananas, lemon juice, and vanilla. On waxed paper, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
4. In large bowl, with mixer on medium speed, beat butter and sugars until light and creamy, 5 minutes, scraping bowl often. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. On low speed, alternately add flour and banana mixtures, beginning and ending with flour mixture; beat until smooth.
5. Spoon batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle with crumb topping. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on wire rack.