There is an old expression "there is nothing as loving as something from the oven." These tough times call for a little love in every single thing we do. People are being forced back into cooking and eating at home, but many of the recipes you see featured are focused on getting a meal cooked quickly or taking some shortcuts to keep time in the kitchen to a minimum. Now, more than ever, we all have plenty of time to spend in the kitchen, enjoying the process and results of a little more care and comfort.

We seem to have lost the knack for making a meal an occasion. But there are times that call for making a meal people will really enjoy and appreciate. The answer to making any meal special may just be in your oven. Think back to the last time you walked into a kitchen and unexpectedly saw a layer cake or a batch of frosted cupcakes sitting on the counter. "Wow!" was likely part of your reaction. It doesn’t really matter what else is happening for dinner, a homemade layer cake or beautiful batch of homemade cupcakes will get people’s attention every time. And while it may take some time, it really does tell your loved ones you want them to feel loved and comforted.

My Maine friend, Michele Creamer, spends a lot of time in her kitchen creating comfort for everyone around her. She is a skilled baker, gardener, cook and neighborhood nurturer. But she really wins my heart when she makes her grandmother’s famous banana cake with creamy frosting. That cake can turn the toughest times into good memories—rich, moist cake with a luscious, buttery frosting that brought back childhood birthdays and special family dinners around a farm table.

If you are looking to make a meal memorable or you just want to show someone you love them, I encourage you to think about making a homemade cake of your own. The best part is that you can make a cake the day before and pull it out to "oohs and ahhs" after a simple supper. That old expression still holds true—people feel the love if you make something from your own oven. Try an easy layer cake and feel the love you get back afterwards! Just in case, I had Michele give me her grandmother’s recipe for banana cake. It is delicious, and the frosting would work well on almost any cake you like! Last night, we shared this cake made into cupcakes, frosted and then dipped into toasted coconut and chopped macadamia nuts.

Banana Cake

1 ½ cups sugar
½ cup butter, softened
2 eggs
½ cup sour cream

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease two 8- or 9-inch round cake pans. Sift the flour together with the baking soda and salt. Set aside. Cream the butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Beat the eggs in one at a time. Add the sour cream, milk and vanilla. Gently mix the dry ingredients into the batter (to avoid spewing flour all over the kitchen.) Once the batter is smooth, add the bananas and incorporate them well into the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake 20 to 25 minutes until a toothpick poked in the center of the cakes comes out clean. Cool completely and frost with Cream Cheese Butter Frosting.

Cream Cheese Butter Frosting

½ cup butter, softened
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar
1 to 2 teaspoons milk

Beat the butter and cream cheese together until it is smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla and sugar and keep beating until it is creamy. Add enough milk, one teaspoon at a time, to get a spreadable consistency. To frost the cake, place one layer on a plate and spread one third of the frosting on the top of that layer. Put the second layer on the frosted first layer, then use the rest of the frosting to cover the entire cake.