Peanut Butter Banana Ice Box Cake

You don't have to heat up the oven to make this one, which makes this classic dessert a great summer time treat. It is cool, creamy and delicious. I made this one for Steve's birthday dinner  last week, and ever since I have been thinking of making another. I like the hearty, healthy delicious combination of bananas and peanut butter; they are a classic combination.  Incidentally, I don't think bananas get the credit they deserve, for being one of God's amazing gifts;  a delicious, sweet,  and unique treat, all wrapped up in a perfect package...but we don't always realize that they are loaded full of healthy benefits. Helen Nichols has a great write up on them in this article on her website: Wellbeing Secrets: you guys should check it out.

And as for the the Ice Box cake, it became popular after World War I, during the 20's and 30's.  This was the time when people used an "Ice Box" to keep food cold. Thus the title "Ice Box Cake".  I think the title "Ice Box" must have hung on long after the Ice box was replaced by the refrigerator;  I remember our family calling the "Refrigerator" an "Ice Box" when I was growing up… and no that wasn't in the 20's and 30's…. it just so happens it was the 60's and 70's.

As for the Ice Box Cake, it remained popular for many years, and its popularity is rising again.  I have seen quite a few recipes for different variations pop up, which have made me want to make one of these cakes. Here is what an Ice Box Cake consists of: some type of cookie, (graham crackers, cookies or wafers), layered with Some type of cream (whipped cream or pudding), and put into the "Ice Box" for several hours or up to several days.  The whipped cream/pudding part causes the cookie/ graham cracker part to become cake-like as it sits in the refrigerator. It comes out like a very elegant dessert.

 For this recipe, you will begin by making 1 recipe of pudding (2 cups needed).  Click here for the homemade vanilla pudding I used in the "Berry Cream Pies".

 When pudding has cooled, mix it together with 2 cups of sour cream .  I did this the day before, and stored the pudding mixture in the refrigerator until I was ready to use it.

Measure 1 cup of peanut butter and 1/2 cup whipping cream into a medium sized mixing bowl.

Mix together until well combined.

 Add Pudding and Sour Cream Mixture to Peanut Butter Mixture and mix together well.

Slice bananas and have graham crackers and bananas ready to layer.

Begin to layer cake starting with Graham Crackers.

Top with pudding mixture…

then a layer of banana slices….

then another layer of pudding….

and graham crackers again.

Repeat all layers until all is used up.

Top with Whipped Cream.  Refrigerate 2 hours or more.

 Serve and enjoy.

Peanut Butter Banana Ice Box Cake

Ingredients:

1-2 sleeves graham crackers (I use whole grain organic) 

1 recipe vanilla pudding (store bought or make your own) 

2 cups sour cream 

1 pint whipping cream ( set aside 1/2 cup to mix with peanut butter)

1 cup peanut butter

3 medium bananas sliced
2 Tablespoons Organic Powdered Sugar  or Stevia to taste
1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions:

1. Make vanilla pudding and set to the side to cool.
2. Add Sour cream to vanilla pudding and mix well.
3. Mix together peanut butter and 1/2 cup whipping cream in a medium mixing bowl.
4. Add pudding mixture to peanut butter mixture and mix well.
5. In an 8x8 casserole dish, begin layering ingredients as follows: graham crackers, pudding, bananas, pudding, graham crackers and so on until all is used up.  
6. Make whipped cream with the remaining whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla, by combining  all three ingredients together and whipping with mixer until peaks form.
7. Top the cake with whipping cream (I put mine into a cake decorating bag and piped it on the top.
8. Put  the cake into the "Ice Box" and chill for 2 or more hours.  
9. Enjoy.