Ruthie's Banana Nut Cake

“I did not meet my cousin Ruthie until she was already 90-something. But as soon as I tasted her Banana Nut Cake, I knew why everyone in the family said she was the best cook of all time. Her hand written recipe was a little difficult to read, but to the best of my ability, I believe this is what it said!”

Ingredients

½ cup butter; unsalted, room temperature

1 cup mashed bananas (very ripe bananas; “brown” work best)

1 teap baking soda

½ cup fresh buttermilk (not powdered)

1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

1 ½ cup sugar

2 jumbo eggs; separated

1 cup flour

1 teasp baking powder

1 teasp vanilla

½ teasp banana extract

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease and flour a tube pan. Cream butter for at least 3 minutes. Add sugar. Cream for another 3 minutes. Add egg yolks; one at a time. Beat. Add mashed bananas. In a separate bowl; whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder. Add to batter and mix until smooth; about 2 minutes. Stir baking soda and vanilla into buttermilk. Add to batter. In a separate mixing bowl, whip egg whites until stiff. Fold into batter. Fold in nuts. Bake for approximately 35-45 minutes or until golden and toothpick comes out clean. enJOY!