Banana Walnut Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

INGREDIENTS

For the cake

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• ½ teaspoon baking powder

• ⅛ teaspoon salt

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

• ⅓ cup sugar

• 1 egg

• 1 large overripe banana, mashed

• ⅓ cup buttermilk or sour cream

• ⅓ cup Mariani Chopped Walnuts

For the frosting

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature

• 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 1 tablespoon heavy cream

• Optional: extra chopped walnuts, for topping 

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INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease two 6-inch cake pans.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.  Set aside.

3. In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the butter and sugar.  Add the egg and mashed banana and mix until combined.  Add the buttermilk and mix until combined. 

4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until they are combined in a smooth batter (it’s okay if there are some small lumps of banana).  Fold in the chopped walnuts.

5. Divide the batter evenly in the two cake pans.  Bake for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Let cool completely before frosting.

6. While the cake is baking, prepare the frosting.  Using an electric mixer, cream together the butter and cream cheese.  Add the powdered sugar, ½ cup at a time, mixing after each addition, until all is incorporated.  Mix in the vanilla extract, salt, and heavy cream.

7. Frost the cake and top with additional chopped walnuts.