BANANA NUT CAKE

Banana Nut Cake image

Provided by Kathleen Taylor

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 1/3 c flour (2 1/2 cups cake flour)
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1 1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 2/3 c sugar
2/3 c shortening
3 eggs
1 1/4 c bananas (about 3 medium bananas)
2/3 c buttermilk
2/3 c finely chopped pecans (toasted)
frosting
3 oz cream cheese (softened)
6 Tbsp unsalted butter (softened)
1 to 2 Tbsp half and half
3 c confectioners' sugar (unsifted)
1 tsp vanilla extract

Steps:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease and flour a 13 x 9 cake pan. (or two 9", or three 8" round layer pans)
3. In a small bowl - whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
4. In a separate bowl, cream together shortening, and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time; beating between each addition.
5. Mash bananas.
6. Add flour, bananas, and buttermilk alternately to the shortening and sugar mixture. Starting with the buttermilk and ending with the flour. Fold in pecans.
7. Pour into prepared pan(s). Bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. 13X9 - 45-60 Minutes, layers 35-40 minutes; cool.
8. For frosting, beat butter and cream cheese, add confectioners sugar and beat slowly. Add half and half to desired consistency. Add vanilla.
9. Frost cake and sprinkle more toasted pecans over frosting if desired.