Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Have you ever had those bananas that sit patiently on your counter, just waiting to be eaten?  As the days go by, they get more and more ripe.  When the point comes that they are just a wee bit too ripe to eat, don't throw them out!  Make this banana cake instead.

It is moist, flavorful and is covered in an absolutely delicious cream cheese frosting. It has the addition of some apple butter, which healthfully moistens the cake as well as giving it some extra flavor. 

Note: if you don't want your cake to be this thick, you could spread the batter into a 10 x 15 cookie sheet, too.  But you might want to double the frosting!

Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

 Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1⅓ cups granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons apple butter 

Frosting 

• 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• Pinch salt
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

To make the cake, preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan; set aside.  In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.  Using an electric mixer, beat the sugar and oil together on medium speed until completely combined. Add both eggs and beat to combine, then add the mashed bananas, apple butter and vanilla extract and beat until combined. Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk, mixing until combined.  Pour into the prepared pan.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a thin knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Set on a wire rack to cool completely.

To make the frosting, with an electric mixer, cream together the cream cheese, butter and salt on medium speed.  Reduce the speed to medium-low and gradually add the powdered sugar until it has all been combined.  Add the vanilla extract, increase the speed to medium-high and beat until light and fluffy.

Spread the frosting over the cooled cake, cut into squares and serve.