Banana Layer Cake

Banana Layer Cake

2 1/4 cups sifted cake flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup very ripe bananas, mashed (about 2 large)
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 tablespoons amaretto
1 stick unsalted butter (1 stick =1/2 cup)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 3- 9 inch round cake pans very well with cooking spray. In a bowl sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg and salt. In a small bowl whisk together mashed banana, yogurt, vanilla and amaretto.

In a bowl of an electric mixer beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy and beat in eggs one at a time; beating well after each addition. Stir in flour and banana mixtures alternately, beginning and ending with flour mixture and stirring after each addition until just combined; do not over mix.

 Divide batter evenly among pans, smoothing tops, and bake in oven, about 18 to 20 minutes or until layers are springy to the touch and a tester comes out clean. Cool layers in pans on racks 10 minutes. Run a thin knife around edges of pans and invert layers onto racks to cool completely.

Frosting
4 cups confectioners sugar
8 ounces cream cheese; softened
1/2 cup butter
1 tablespoon vanilla
3 tablespoons amaretto
pinch of salt
3 large firm ripe bananas

In a large bowl sift confectioners sugar. In another large bowl with electric mixer beat together cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy and beat in vanilla, amaretto and a pinch of salt. Beat in confectioners
sugar, a little at a time, and beat frosting until smooth.

Cake Assembly
Cut bananas diagonally into thin slices. Put 1 cake layer on serving plate and spread with a thin coating of frosting. Arrange one layer of banana slices on frosting, overlapping them slightly and top with 2nd cake layer.
Spread cake layer with another thin coat of frosting and arrange one more layer of banana slices in same manner. Top bananas with the remaining cake layer and spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake.