GMA: Banana Cake with Quick Caramel Frosting

— -- You can store this cake, covered in plastic wrap, at room temperature for up to one week. Or you can freeze it in aluminum foil, for up to six months. Thaw the cake overnight on the counter before serving.

Ingredients for the Banana Cake:

Solid vegetable shortening for greasing the pans flour for dusting the pans1 package (18.25 ounces) plain yellow cake mix1/2 cup packed light brown sugar1 teaspoon ground cinnamon2 medium-size ripe bananas, peeled & mashed (about one cup)one cup water1/2 cup vegetable oil 3 large eggs2 teaspoons crème de banane liquer (optional)1 cup chopped pecans, toasted (optional for topping frosting)

Directions for the Banana Cake:

1. Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease two 9-inch round cake pans with solid vegetable shortening then dust with flour. Shake out the excess flour. Set pans aside.

2. Place the cake mix, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl. Add the mashed bananas, water, oil, eggs and crème de banane liqueur (if desired). Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for one minute. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for two minutes more, scraping the sides down again if needed. The batter should look well blended and the bananas should be well pureed. Divide the batter between the prepared pans. Place the pans in the oven side by side.

3. Bake the cakes until they are lightly browned and a toothpick inserted in the center of each layer comes out clean, 30 to 32 minutes. Remove the pans from the oven and place them on wire racks to cool for ten minutes. Run a dinner knife around the edge of each layer and invert each onto another rack so that the cakes are right side up. Allow them to cool completely 30 minutes more.

4. Prepare the Quick Caramel Frosting (ingredients and recipe below). This will take only 5 to 10 minutes; therefore, time the frosting preparation so that the cake has cooled enough and is ready to frost.5. When the cake layers are cool, transfer one layer, right side up, to a serving platter. Frost the top of the layer with the warm frosting, working quickly because it will firm up as it cools. While the frosting is still warm, you may want to sprinkle toasted pecans on top of the cake so that they cling to the frosting. . Place the second layer, right side up, on top of the first layer and frost the top and sides of the cake, making sure to work quickly with clean, smooth strokes. Let the cake cool at least one hour for easier serving.