Banana Friendship Cake.

This cake has been made for countless birthdays over the years. My mama made it for each and every birthday when we were little, and, as we each got older, we in turn started making it ourselves. Even though at times we moved on to other cakes...chocolate torte and ice cream cake...we always return to the Banana Friendship Cake.
It really is just the best cake ever. No kidding.
There are so many different way to frost it too. You can use really any berries, or nuts, or toasted coconut, or even just leave it plain. 

Banana Friendship Cake.

What you'll need.

• 1/2 cup of butter
• 1 and 1/2 cups of sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2-3 nice ripe bananas, mashed well (I always use about 3 medium)
• 1/2 cup of buttermilk 
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
• 3/4 of a teaspoon of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 2 1/4 cups of unbleached flour (freshly milled pastry flour is best)
• 1/2 cup of chopped nuts (if you like nuts--you can use your favorite kind)

To make.

• Peel, and mash your ripe bananas.
• In a large bowl combine:
• Butter and sugar, and beat
• Add eggs, bananas, and buttermilk.
• Beat well with a spoon, or with a mixer for about 2 minutes.
• Add baking powder, baking soda, salt, and flour.
• Beat until well combined, by hand, or with a mixer for about 2 minutes.
• Fold in nuts, if you're using them.
• Butter and flour 2 round cake pans (or whatever shape pans you prefer).
• Pour batter into your pans and bake at 350 degrees for about 25-30 minutes. Do not over bake. 

After the cake has sufficiently cooled, frost with cream cheese frosting and garnish with fruit of your choice. 

Cream Cheese Frosting.

1 cup of softened butter
1 8 ounce package of cream cheese, softened
2 teaspoons of vanilla
4 cups of sifted confectioner's sugar

Cream together butter and cream cheese, and stir in vanilla

Add confectioner's sugar a little at a time, beating well until blended.