BANANA NUT CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

butter (for greasing pans)
3 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for pans)
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup vegetable oil
4 large ripe bananas, mashed
1 cup chopped pecans
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe follows)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour 3 (9-inch) round cake pans; set aside.

In a mixing bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Add the eggs and oil and stir just until the dry ingredients are moistened; do not beat.

Stir in the banana, pecans, and vanilla. Divide the batter among the prepared pans.

Bake for 23 to 28 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool the cake layers in the pans for 10 minutes, and then turn them out onto a rack to cool completely.

While the cake cools, make the frosting. Fill and frost the cake when it is completely cool.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
1 (1 pound) box powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped pecans

In a bowl, blend together the cream cheese and butter. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla. Stir in the pecans, or reserve them to sprinkle over the frosted cake.

Makes 1 (3-layer, 9-inch) cake, 18 servings
Source: TV Food Network, Paula's Home Cooking with Paula Deen, Show # PA-SP01