Nicole's Banana Cake

So one of my favorite things to do is cook - but above all I love to bake! So I typically volunteer to make dessert for our family gatherings at holidays.  For Easter this year I decided to make a dessert I have made for my family before - partially because I hadn't had it in so long!! The recipe is actually a Better Homes & Gardens recipe but to me it will always be Nicole's Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.  I snagged the recipe in graduate school from my friend Nicole (of Sean and Nicole - see blog list at the right) who had made this delicious cake for a department potluck we had.  It is pretty simple and simply scrumptious!  Unfortunately I neglected to take a pic of the cake before it was cut into but here's a shot of one slice!

Originally found at: BHG.com (cake)

Banana Cake
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup shortening (I use butter!)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs

Grease and lightly flour two round cake pans or a 9x13 pan.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Add bananas, buttermilk, shortening and vanilla.  Beat at a low speed until combined.  Add eggs, beat on medium for 2 minutes.  Pour batter into pans.  Batter will be very thick!

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes for round pans or about 35 minutes for a 9x13 pan or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans on wire rack for 10 minutes and then remove from pans to cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups sifted confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Beat until smooth, apply generously to cooled cakes! :)

I love love LOVE this cake so I hope you do too!! Many thanks to Nicole of course for sharing!!