We may have celebrated the single most boring 4th of July in my entire life this year. In years past, we have gone camping, or swimming, or had family barbecues. Maybe it’s because the holiday was on a Wednesday, but we had nothing planned. Nothing at all.
I take that back. We had one thing planned. Her Royal Highness (offspring #3) wanted to march in the parade with the karate school. We have never been around to do this, and I thought it sounded like a fun way to start the day. I promptly signed up all three kids to march.
And then I learned that the parade begins at 6:00 pm. I ask you, who holds a parade at 6:00 pm?
We did absolutely nothing else all day. We did not go swimming, we didn’t go to the neighborhood breakfast and flag ceremony, we didn’t even buy sparklers. The kids played around the house. Robb worked in the yard.
I… baked.
When we returned home from the parade, sweaty and thirsty and tired, we had these gorgeous parfaits waiting for us. It was the highlight of our day. I’m pretty sure the kids only ate dinner because they knew it was a requirement to get dessert.
Shameless self-promotion time: HRH told me, and this is a direct quote, “This banana pudding is by far one of the best things you’ve ever made.” Yes, she’s a tween, and a picky eater, which means by definition her opinions are suspect, but in this case she is not wrong. I’m pretty proud of this pudding. It’s got a nice banana flavor without being too sweet or overpowering.
Ditto that on the cake. I love a super chocolately double chocolate cake as much as the next girl, (remember this one?) but sometimes you need something more… subtle. Enter this chocolate sheet cake. It is chocolate without being too heavy or too sweet. And, as I’ve said before, I’ve never met a baked good made with buttermilk that I didn’t love. Buttermilk makes everything better.
Buttermilk should run for office.
Put this lovely chocolate buttermilk sheet cake together with this banana pudding, throw in some layers of whipped cream and some sliced fresh bananas, and you have a dessert made in heaven.
- Chocolate Sheet Cake
- Banana Pudding
- Whipped Cream
- Bananas
- Cut sheet cake into circles. Layer circles with banana pudding, fresh banana slices, and whipped cream. Repeat layers once or twice.
- Chill before serving.
If you enjoy this recipe, you might also enjoy:
Dulce de Leche Banana Toffee Pie from Our Best Bites
Bananas Foster Shortcake from Confections of a Foodie Bride
Banana Pudding from Jen’s Favorite Cookies
Nutella Banana Smoothie from Mother Thyme
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