Southern Living Marvelous Banana Cake

Roxygirl in Colorado's Note:

This cake is special enough for birthdays, since I made it for my son's first! He loved banana bread (still does!!) so it seemed a natural pick. The Banana-nut frosting is unique or try your own favorite. Note: the frosting calls for both 16 ounces powdered sugar PLUS 3 cups flour.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 3 layer c ...

• 1 cup butter , softened
• 3 cups sugar
• 2 cups mashed bananas
• 4 eggs , beaten
• 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons Bourbon (I used juice) or 2 tablespoons orange juice (I used juice)
• 1 cup chopped pecans (can be omitted)

Banana Nut Frosting

• ½ cup mashed banana
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1⁄3; cup butter , softened
• 16 ounces powdered sugar , sifted PLUS an additional
• 3 cups powdered sugar , sifted
• 3 -4 tablespoons milk
• 1 cup coconut , toasted (I omitted)
• 2⁄3; cup finely chopped pecans (I omitted)

Directions:

1. Cream butter; gradually add sugar, beating will at medium speed of an electric mixer.
2. Add bananas; mix until smooth.
3. Stir in eggs.
4. Combine flour and baking soda; add to banana mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture (mixing after each addition).
5. Stir in vanilla, bourbon (or juice) and pecans.
6. Pour batter into 3 greased and floured 9 inch round cake pans.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes; cool in pans 10 minutes and remove cake from pans.
8. Cool completely on wire racks.
9. Spread Banana Nut Frosting between layers and on top of cake.
10. Yield: one 3 layer cake.
11. Banana Nut Frosting:.
12. Combine banana and lemon juice; set mixture aside.
13. Cream softened butter at medium speed of an electric mixer; add powdered sugar and milk and mix well.
14. Add banana mixture, beating until fluffy.
15. Stir in toasted coconut and chopped pecans.
16. Yield: 3 1/2 cups.

Reviews

[zanne]

OMG - this is the BEST cake I have ever eaten. I took it to work and nearly everyone asked for the recipe. However, I use vanilla butter frosting instead of the one listed here. It tastes just like Sara Lee Banana cake.