Ingredients:
3/4 cup shortening
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup chopped pecans, optional
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
BUTTER CREAM FROSTING:
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
Pinch salt
1/4 cup cold evaporated milk
Directions:
In a bowl, cream shortening and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs; beat for 2 minutes. Add bananas and vanilla; beat for 2 minutes.
Combine dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Mix well. Stir in pecans if desired. Pour into two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Sprinkle each with coconut.
Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until cake tests done; loosely cover with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking. Cool in pans 15 minutes before removing to a wire rack, coconut side up.
In a bowl, cream shortening and butter. Add remaining frosting ingredients. Mix on low until combined; beat on high for 5 minutes. Place one cake layer, coconut side down, on a cake plate; spread with some of the frosting. Top with second layer, coconut side up; frost sides and 1 in. around top edge of cake, leaving coconut center showing.
Nutritional Facts:
1 piece: 589 calories, 32g fat (13g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 373mg sodium, 72g carbohydrate (50g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
MAKES:
12 servings
TOTAL TIME:
Prep: 30 min. Bake: 25 min. + cooling