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I believe that life is a series of stories worth telling and man, do I have some to share! I am a wife and mom of 4 (and counting). I am a storyteller and dreamer turned blogger and podcaster. I delight in always finding something new to create and do around our home. I am passionate about living my life in joy through every season of marriage, motherhood, and business. I love to share our love and our life, authentically and unfiltered, to inspire you to find joy in your everyday. Cozy up and find something fun!

I'm Lauren

you can call me La!

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let's be friends

Disclosure: As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. So grateful that for your support of our family by purchasing through our links!

Light & Fluffy Banana Walnut Cake – An Easy Recipe for Thanksgiving


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This Banana Walnut Cake is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for any occasion, and it’s especially perfect for Thanksgiving! Quick to make in under 40 minutes, this cake comes out light, moist, and filled with rich banana flavor and crunchy walnuts. Topped with a smooth and cream cheese buttercream frosting, it’s a simple Southern dessert with a twist that’ll have everyone reaching for seconds and thirds- haha. Whether you're making it for a cozy family dinner or a holiday feast, this cake will add a delightful, comforting finish to any meal.



Cake Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups white sugar

2 eggs 2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup sour cream

1 cup mashed ripe bananas

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup of chopped walnuts (reserve 1/8 cup finally crushed for crumble topping)


Frosting Ingredients:

2 oz cream cheese

1/8 cup butter, softened

1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup confectioners' sugar

1 TBSP heavy cream

\


Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 9” round pans.

  2. In a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the sour cream and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt and stir into the batter. Finally, mix in the mashed banana. Spread evenly into the prepared pans.

  3. Bake for 18-25 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

  4. Meanwhile, mix all ingredients for frosting until whipped to desired texture.

  5. Allow layers to cool completely before frosting with the buttercream cheese frosting. Top with remaining walnut crumble.




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And... in case you missed it... we just launched our first ever virtual cookbook.


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Tired of Endless Meal Planning? Let Me Simplify It for You with My Tried-and-True Family Recipes!

 

Does meal planning stress you out? What if you could skip the hours of Pinterest scrolling and get straight to delicious, kid-approved meals that are simple, southern, and full of heart?

 

Ever wish you could peek inside my kitchen? Now you can! I’m opening up my family recipe vault and sharing our all-time favorites with you – in real-time!

 

Feel like meal planning is a never-ending chore? Let me take that burden off your plate with my virtual cookbook, designed to make meal prep a breeze, with recipes you’ll want to make again and again.

 

My Virtual Cookbook, Created Just for You

I’ve decided it’s time to simplify things for both of us. No more searching through endless blogs or scrolling for ideas. I’m opening up my kitchen and inviting you into the process in real-time. That’s right! I’m sharing my tried-and-true recipes as I’m creating them – before they even hit the blog. You’ll have access to exclusive, real-time content as I develop new meals for my family, and yours.

 

What You’ll Find Inside:

  • Mouthwatering Brunch Dishes – Start your mornings with something delicious

  • Crowd-Pleasing Main Courses – Dinner is served, with recipes the whole family will love

  • Scrumptious Sides – Perfect pairings to elevate any meal

  • Decadent Desserts – Because no meal is complete without a little sweetness

These aren’t just recipes – they’re a blend of family staples passed down through generations, Pinterest-inspired finds with my own special tweaks, and simple, southern classics that never fail to please.

 

Why This Cookbook is Different

I know how challenging meal planning can be, and that’s why I’ve designed this virtual cookbook to fit seamlessly into your busy life. With kid-approved recipes that focus on real ingredients and wholesome meals, you’ll be able to plan your weekly dinners without the stress. Plus, I’m constantly updating and backlogging new recipes, so this is truly a resource that evolves with your needs.

 

A Special Pre-Launch Offer Just for You

Here’s the exciting part: you’re getting first dibs on this cookbook during the pre-launch. That means you’ll be able to access a growing collection of recipes at a discounted price before the full book is finished. While there are only a few completed recipes available now, I’m updating it constantly – and you’ll be the first to know when new recipes are added. Think of it as a VIP pass to my kitchen!

 

Please note: Due to the digital nature of this product, all sales are final. This is a pre-launch offer, and the price reflects the ongoing additions and updates.

 

Ready to Make Meal Planning Easier?

Grab your copy here of my virtual cookbook today and start enjoying simple, southern recipes that your whole family will love.



 
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We so enjoy sharing my life alongside you! We are so grateful to each of you reading and being a part of our life and our story! We hope to be part of yours, too! And, we'd love to connect.


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With Joy,

Lauren Alonso


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