Banana Layer Cake

Prep: 15 min
Bake: 25 min + cooling
Yields 6 Servings

Ingredients

3 tablespoons shortening
¾ cup sugar
2 eggs, separated
½ cup mashed ripe banana
1 cup all purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda
½ cup 1% buttermilk

Frosting

2 tablespoons shortening
3 tablespoons butter, softened
3 to 3 ½ cups confectioner’s sugar, divided
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon lemon extract
1/3 cup mashed ripe banana
3 drops yellow food coloring (optional)

Directions

In a small mixing bowl, beat shortening and sugar until crumbly, about 2 minutes. Add egg yolks; beat well. Add banana; beat on low speed until blended. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda; add to banana mixture alternately with buttermilk. In a small mixing bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form; fold into batter.

Coat two 6 inch round baking pans with nonstick cooking spray and dust with flour. Add batter. Bake at 375o for 23-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

For frosting, in a small mixing bowl, combine shortening and butter. Add ½ cup confectioner’s sugar, salt and extract; mix well. Stir in banana. Beat in enough of the remaining confectioner’s sugar to achieve desired spreading consistency. Tint with food coloring if desired. Spread between layers and over top and sides of cake. Store in refrigerator