A book with a subtitle of recipes, art and nature is sure to get my attention (as if the abstract and colorful cover was not enough) I found it interesting that Jackson Pollock was attracted to the precision of baking given the abstract nature of his art. I knew I had to try one of his cakes and this just happened to coincide with Mike needing to take a dessert to work for a potluck. This recipe calls for a loaf pan. I used a 9" cake pan and had enough batter left over to bake in a ramekin so we could try it at home.

Banana Cream Cake from Dinner with Jackson Pollock

Printed with permission from Assouline Publishing

For the cake:

1/2 c butter, softened
1 c sugar
1 tsp vanilla extras
2 eggs
1/3 c sour cream
1 c ripe bananas, mashed
1 tsp lemon juice
2 c all purpose flour
1 T baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 c pecans or walnuts, chopped

For the frosting:

1/2 c butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 1/2 c powdered confectioners sugar, sifted
1/4 c pecans roughly chopped, for garnish

Preheat oven to 360 degrees. Great a rectangular 9x5-inch bread tin and line the base with greased baking paper. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy, then add eggs one at a time. Beat until thoroughly combined. In a separate bowl, mix together the banana, sour cream and lemon juice. In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add half the banana mixture, followed by half the flour mixture. Fold until well combined, then repeat with the remaining ingredients. Lastly, fold in the chopped nuts. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth with a spatula. Bake about 1 hour. Allow to cool in tin for a few minutes before turning onto a wired rack. when cake has cooled completely, spread with frosting.

To make the frosting: Cream together the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla until smooth. Add powdered sugar half a cup at a time and beat with an electric mizere on low speed until combined. When all the powedered sugar is added, bean on high speed until frosting is smooth. Spread on cooled cake.

Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnut on top of frosted cake, if desired.