To Die For Banana Cake with Vanilla Bean Frosting

Photo Credit: http://butteryum.blogspot.com

To Die For Banana Cake with Vanilla Bean Frosting

Original Recipe: http://butteryum.blogspot.com/2011/01/to-die-for-banana-cake-with-vanilla.html

Ingredients:
Cake:

• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 2 mashed super ripe bananas (about 3/4 cup)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Frosting:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste* (see below)
• 1 1/4 cups confectioner's sugar

Directions:

To make cake (easily mixed by hand):
Preheat the oven to 375F (see note below).  Cream together sugar, sour cream, egg, and 2 tablespoons softened butter.  Add mashed bananas and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.  Add flour, salt, and baking soda; mix well.  Pour into greased 8x8 pan.  Bake at 375F for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool completely before frosting.

To make frosting:
Cream butter and confectioner's sugar together until smooth.  Slowly add the heavy cream; stir until smooth.  Stir in the vanilla bean paste until fully incorporated.  Spread on cooled cake.

Note - Bake at 350F if using a glass pan.
Recipe doubles well to fit in a 9x13 pan.

*Here's the general rule for substituting vanilla:
1 vanilla bean = 1 tablespoon vanilla powder = 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste = 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract