Banana Cake with Fudge Frosting

Yields 15 servings

Cake:

Ingredients
2 cups Gold Medal all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cup mashed bananas (about 2 large)

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom and sides of 13 x 9 pan with shortening. Mix flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; set aside.

Beat sugar and butter in large bowl with electric mixer on high speed, scraping bowl occasionally, until fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture alternately with buttermilk until smooth. Stir in bananas. Pour into pan.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Spread with fudge frosting.

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Frosting:

Ingredients

1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup butter or margarine
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 to 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

Mix granulated sugar and cocoa in 2-quart saucepan. Stir in milk, butter and corn syrup. Heat to boiling, stirring frequently. Boil 3 minutes, stirring occassionally; remove from heat. Beat in powdered sugar and vanilla with spoon until smooth and spreadable.