Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus is the World's largest Catholic Fraternal Service Organization. Founded in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney in New Haven, Connecticut. Named in honor of Christopher Columbus. The organization started out helping low income immigrant Catholics. It has developed into a group dedicated to provide charitable services. The group also helps promote Catholic education and actively defends the Roman Catholicism in various nations. 

There are 1,883,598 members of the Knights of Columbus in nearly 15,000 councils in the world. There are 302 councils on college campuses. Councils are chartered in the U.S. , Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Panama, the Bahamas, Cuba, Guatemala, Saipan, South Korea, Ukraine, Lithuania, and U.S. military bases around the world. Membership is limited to catholic men aged 18 years of age or older. 

Pope John Paul II referred to the order as a "Strong right arm of the church" With their giving in volunteer work as well as financial they truly work to help charities. The Order's insurance program has more than 2 million insurance contracts. The Order in the U.S. is also active in political arena lobbying both on national and state level. They often lobby for laws and positions that uphold the Catholic Church's position on public policy and social issues.

.

The Knights of Columbus often host receptions for members as well as cook for fund raisers. One item that is often found at these dinners is one or more cakes. This is a cake recipe that may show up at one of the dinners

Upside Down Banana Foster Cake

Topping
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp rum extract or 2 tbsp light rum
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 bananas, sliced

Cake
1 box yellow cake mix
2 eggs
1 cup skim milk, or 1 1/2 cup whole milk
8 tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350° F.
Melt 1/3 cup butter for topping and pour into the bottom of a 9-inch square pan. Add the brown sugar, vanilla, rum, and cinnamon and stir with a fork. Add sliced bananas.

In a large bowl, mix the cake mix, eggs, melted stick of butter and milk with an electric mixer, about 3 minutes. Batter should be smooth. Pour over banana topping mixture and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Run a knife along the edges and invert onto serving plate. Cake should release, if not let it rest until it does. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

This can also be made in a round 10 inch cast iron pan