Banana Cake (Southern Banana Cake)

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Note:
Baking time: The low baking time is CORRECT. Baking this banana cake at such a low tempt. results in a moist cake. Cooking times can vary greatly for some reason.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups bananas, mashed (about 3 large bananas)
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 12 tablespoons butter (1 1/2 sticks), room temperature
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• REAL CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
• 4 (8 oz) packs cream cheese, softened at room temperature
• 16 tablespoons butter, softened at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted

Details

Adapted from divascancook.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 275 F.
Generously grease and lightly flour 3 (9 inch) round cake pans. Set aside.
In a small bowl combine bananas and lemon juice. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs & vanilla extract.
Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk.
Fold in bananas.
Pour batter evenly into the prepared pans.
Bake for 35-40 minutes (check on it at the 35 minute mark)
When moist crumbs cling to toothpick inserted into center, remove from oven and let cool in pans until pans are warm to the touch. (do NOT over cook. The cake continues to cook as it cools)
Very carefully remove cake from pans and allow to cool completely on cooling rack.
Stack and frost layers with cream cheese frosting and sprinkle with pecans if desired.
Serve.
Store frosted cake covered tightly in fridge.
*To make frosting: Cream together cream cheese and butter. Mix in vanilla extract. Gradually mix in powdered sugar until creamy. Refrigerate until firm.