After tasting this cake for the first time a few months back at a cafe, I thought it was absolutely divine and had to make it myself! This cake was the perfect dessert for the Easter holiday…it is reminiscent of your grandmother’s banana nut bread, full of fruit favors, pecans, and rich cream cheese icing. Needless to say everyone in my family enjoyed this decadent treat, even my Mom’s husband said it was the best cake he’s ever had! If you are a fan of fruit and nuts, this cake is for you. I used the Southern Living recipe, it is easy to follow and I will make this southern gem year after year!
Ingredients
CAKE LAYERS
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 (8-oz.) can crushed pineapple in juice, undrained (such as Publix Crushed Pineapple in Pineapple Juice)
- 2 cups chopped ripe bananas (about 3 bananas)
- 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
- Vegetable shortening
CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
- 2 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup salted butter or margarine, softened
- 2 (16-oz.) pkg. powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
How to Make It
Prepare the Cake Layers: Preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk together flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon in a large bowl; add eggs and oil, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in vanilla, pineapple, bananas, and toasted pecans.
Divide batter evenly among 3 well-greased (with shortening) and floured 9-inch round cake pans.
Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely, about 1 hour.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer on medium-low speed until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at low speed until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Increase speed to medium-high, and beat until fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes.
Assemble Cake: Place 1 Cake Layer on a serving platter; spread top with 1 cup of the frosting. Top with second layer, and spread with 1 cup frosting. Top with third layer, and spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Arrange pecan halves on top of cake.
The Texas Table 