Banana Cake With Pudding Icing

This is a really yummy cake with an unusual ingredient in the icing,pudding mix. I originally saw this made on Calling All Cooks on Food Network, and as if often the case, their online version was not exactly the same as what was aired on the show. So, I watched the show again and made my own notes and here is the version I ended up with. It turned out delicious :)

• Ready In: 2 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• Cake Batter

• 1 1⁄2 cups granulated sugar
• 1⁄2 cup butter flavor shortening
• 2  large eggs, separated
• 2 -3  bananas, peeled and sliced
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1  cup buttermilk
• 2 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1  teaspoon vanilla

• Frosting

• 1  cup granulated sugar
• 1⁄2 cup vegetable shortening
• 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 (3 1/2ounce) package  cook & serve vanilla pudding mix (NOT instant)
• 1  cup milk
• 1  teaspoon vanilla

Directions

1. Mix sugar and shortening until creamy.
2. Add egg yolks and bananas, beat thoroughly.
3. Dissolve baking soda into buttermilk.
4. Sift flour, baking powder and salt.
5. Mix alternately flour mixture into the egg yolk mixture alternately with the buttermilk mixture.
6. Add vanilla.
7. Beat egg whites until stiff and fold into batter.
8. Bake in a preheated 350 F degree oven for 40 minutes, then let cool completely on racks.
9. Frosting:.
10. Cream the sugar, shortening and butter until light and fluffy.
11. Cook vanilla pudding with milk until very thick.
12. Cool and add to butter mixture.
13. Mix with electric mixer at high speed for 15 minutes or until it is not grainy.
14. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla.
15. Ice the cake, keep leftovers chilled.
16. Yield: 2 (9-inch) layers.