From the Ann Koehler Kitchen: 101 Years of Family Favorites: Banana Cream Puff Cake

Weyauwega Fremont News & Events is proud to introduce a new feature — From the Ann Koehler Kitchen: 101 Years of Family Favorites.

This series remembers Ann Koehler, a lifelong West Bloomfield remembered for her warmth, generosity, and love of cooking and baking. Ann’s recipes were staples at church gatherings, Ladies Aid events, and countless family get-togethers. If you stopped over, she always had a sweet treat available near by! These recipes, collected from her 101 years have been shared with friends and neighbors over the decades!

Even in her later life, Ann’s passion for a sweet treat continued. Though she “slowed down” in the kitchen, she still enjoyed sampling new desserts and keeping copies of her favorites tucked into her recipe box.

This series will revisit many of those beloved recipes, bringing a piece of her kitchen back to life and celebrating the simple, sweet traditions that connect generations.

This Week’s Recipe: Banana Cream Puff Cake

A favorite in Grandma Koehler’s later years, this Banana Cream Puff Cake is a light and creamy dessert combines the best of two classics, cream puffs and banana cream pie. With layers of smooth vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, and a soft cream cheese filling, it’s the perfect treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 cup water

• ½ cup butter

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 4 eggs

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

• 4 cups milk

• 3 (3.5-ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix

• 1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

• 3–4 ripe bananas, thinly sliced

  • Optional1/2 cup of Crushed Vanilla wafers

    
    

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. In a large saucepan, bring butter and water to a boil. Add flour and stir until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides. Remove from heat.

3. Beat in eggs one at a time until smooth. Spread dough evenly into an ungreased 9x13-inch pan. Bake for 35 minutes and cool completely.

4. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and milk until smooth. Add pudding mix and continue beating until thickened.

5. Spread half of the pudding mixture over the cooled crust, then add a layer of sliced bananas. Spread the remaining pudding mixture over the bananas.

6. Top with whipped topping and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

7. Sprinkle crushed Vanilla Wafers on top for extra flavor before serving.

   
   

Follow along as we feature more of Ann’s and the area's favorite recipes — from desserts to family staples!

Stay tuned for more from From the Ann Koehler Kitchen: 101 Years of Family Favorites, right here on Weyauwega Fremont News & Events.