We are very familiar with the rustic and hearty Banana Loafs and Banana Breads.  But for those with slightly sweeter cravings how about a good ol’ Banana Cake?  The natural sweetness of Bananas has finally got its due in the cake world and it couldn’t be any simpler.  This is a middle of the road dessert that sites between the slightly sweet Banana breads and the high sweet ration of the Banana Banoffee Pie.

Time:

An hour and 15min

Serves:

16

Good for:

• For impressing those first time visitors
• For those who love Bananas but are tired of Banana bread
• Great housewarming dessert

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups of bananas, mashed and ripe
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 3 cups of flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¾ cup softened butter
• 2 1/8 cups of sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ½  cups of buttermilk

For the frosting:

• ½ cup of softened butter
• 1 (8 oz.) package of softened cream cheese
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 ½ cups of icing sugar

Kitchen things you’ll need:

• Baking pan (preferably 9×13 inches)
• Spatula
• Hand Mixer
• Large Bowl
• Medium Bowl
• Small Bowl

Making it:

• Preheat the oven to 135°C (275°F).
• Grease and flour the baking pan.
• In a small bowl, mix mashed banana with the lemon juice; set aside.
• In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.
• In a large bowl, cream 3/4 cup butter and 2 1/8 cups sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in eggs, one at a time, then stir in 2 tsp vanilla.
• Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk.
• Stir in banana mixture.
• Pour batter into prepared pan and bake in preheated oven for one hour or until toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean.
• Remove from oven and place directly into the freezer for 45 minutes. This will make the cake very moist.
• For the frosting, cream the butter and cream cheese until smooth.
• Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla.
• Add icing sugar and beat on low speed until combined, then on high speed until frosting is smooth.
• Spread on cooled cake.

Tips/notes:

• Garnish with chopped walnuts for a nice crunch