Banana-Nut Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

By sandy_h

From Southern Living

Ingredients

• For cake:
• 1 1/3 cup sugar, divided
• 2 cups sifted cake flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 2 large eggs, separated
• 1 cup smashed bananas
• 2/3 cup buttermilk
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Cream Cheese Frosting
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• Cream Cheese Frosting:
• 1 (8oz

Preparation

Step 1

For cake:
Combine 1 cup sugar, cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and 1/2 cup chopped pecans in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture. Combine egg yolks and next 4 ingredients; add to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened.

Beat egg whites with an electric mixer until foamy. Gradually add remaining 1/3 cup sugar, and beat until stiff (but not dry) peaks form. Fold egg white mixture into batter. Pour batter into 2 greased and floured 9-inch round cakepans.

Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.

For frosting: Beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth; gradually add powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla and lemon juice. Cover and chill until spreading consistency.

Spread cream cheese frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Press 1/2 cup chopped pecans into frosting on sides of cake.