BANANA CAKE

INGREDIENTS:

3 very ripe banana, mashed Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe follows)

¾ cup granulated sugar 6 ounces cream cheese

½ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed 6 tablespoon (¾ stick) unsalted butter

½ cup vegetable oil 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 extra large eggs 2 ½ cups sifted confectioners’ sugar (½ pounds)

½ cup sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Grated zest of 1 orange

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon kosher salt

½ cup coarsely chopped walnuts (optional)

Walnut halve, for decorating (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 by 2 inch round cake pan.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the bananas,
granulated sugar, and brown sugar on low speed until combined. With the mixer still on law,
add the oil, eggs, sour cream, vanilla, and orange zest. Mix until smooth.
3. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. With the mixer on low, add
the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Stir in the chopped walnuts, if using. Pour
the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in
the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, turn out onto a cooling rack, and
cool completely.
4. Spread the frosting thickly on the top of the cake and decorate with walnut halves, if using.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:

Mix the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle
attachment on low speed until just combined. Don’t whip! Add sugar and mix until smooth. Yield:
frosting for one 9-inch cake.