Easter Cake Recipe

Instructions

To Make the Cake Batter

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease both 6" cake pans, and set aside. Add 2 rounds of parchment to the bottom of the cake pans to help it come out of the pan better. Grease over the parchment paper.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, sea salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg).
3. You can mash the bananas by hand using a large fork or potato masher. I prefer to use a blender (or food processor would work too) to get the bananas puréed. This should only take a few moments on the purée or liquefy setting of your blender.
4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, puréed banana, sugar, and oil. Add the eggs to the flour mixture and stir until combined. Fold in the optional walnuts. It's okay if it's a little lumpy. Spread the batter into the cake pans, then divide evenly.
5. Bake for 22 minutes to 27 minutes. You can check if it's done by inserting a knife or toothpick into the center and it should come out clean if it's done. When it's done, let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then remove from the pan and allow to cool completely on a wire rack. You can use a bread knife to cut the rounded tops off the cake layers so that the layers are level. Make sure the layers are completely cool before cutting or frosting.
   

To Make the Buttercream Frosting

1. In your stand mixer, using the whisk attachment, add the unsalted butter and confectioner's sugar, whisk on medium until combined (about 3 minutes), add the vanilla and gel food coloring until the desired hue is reached (about 1 minute), set aside until ready to use. Cover and refrigerate, if making ahead.
   

For Applying the Frosting

1. Using an offset spatula, spread the frosting in a thin, even layer on top of the first layer, and then add the 2nd cake layer. Add more frosting to the top and sides, and use a dough scraper or cake spatula (it helps to have a cake stand for this to get very smooth results). If using the buttercream frosting, chill for a half hour or until the frosting firms up before spreading the remaining frosting. To finish, spread the frosting in an even layer until completely covered. Decorate with the chocolate candy. Chill the cake for at least a half-hour to firm up the frosting. Enjoy!