BANANA-CHOCOLATE CHIP CAKE WITH PEANUT BUTTER-CREAM CHEESE ICING

Banana-Chocolate Chip Cake with Peanut Butter-Cream Cheese Icing image

Yield makes 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 1/2 cups cake flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana (about 2 large)
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 pound plus 4 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) butter
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips, plus 1/4 cup for garnish
Peanut Butter-Cream Cheese Icing
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
(makes about 2 1/2 cups, enough for 1 two-layer cake)

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Butter and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
Sift the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Whisk together the banana, vanilla, and buttermilk in a medium bowl. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy; add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until well mixed.
Add the dry ingredients and banana mixture to the butter mixture in three alternating stages (dry, wet, dry), ending with the dry. Fold in the chocolate chips. Divide the batter between the pans and bake for about 25 minutes, or until springy in the center. Allow cakes to cool in pans for about 10 minutes. Run a knife around the rim of the pan to loosen cake, then invert to release cake. Cool completely on wire racks. Spread icing between the layers, and on the top and sides of the cake. Sprinkle with chocolate chips, if desired.
Peanut Butter-Cream Cheese Icing
Cream the peanut butter and the cream cheese in a mixer with the paddle attachment, scraping the sides once or twice, until light and fluffy. Beat in the sugar gradually. When completely incorporated, add the vanilla.