Bocca’s Banana-Nut Cake

This is a recipe from Kristi’s Grandmother!

• 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 2/3 cups sugar
• 1 ¼ cups mashed bananas (about 3 medium)
• 2/3 cup finely chopped nuts
• 2/3 cup shortening
• 2/3 cup buttermilk
• 3 eggs
• 1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 ¼ teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour 3 round pans, 8 x 1 ½ inches.  Beat all ingredients on low speed, scraping bowl constantly, 30 seconds.  Beat on high speed, scraping bowl occasionally, 3 minutes.  Pour into pans.

Bake until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean 35 to 40 minutes; cool.  Frost with Butter-Cream frosting.

Butter Cream Frosting: (double recipe)

• 1 small can pet milk (lukewarm)
• 1 stick of butter (1/2 cup)
• ½ cup Crisco
• 1 cup sugar (extra fine)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• ½ teaspoon butter flavoring

Pour warm milk into beated sugar and butter mixture and beat until smooth (5 minutes).  Add flavorings.