Banana Cake

For the cake:
170g unsalted butter
300g caster sugar
1tsp vanilla extract 3 eggs
180ml plain yogurt
450g plain flour
1tsp baking powder
1tsp bicarbonate of soda
pinch of salt
pinch of ground cinnamon
3 bananas, mashed (the browner, the better!)

For the frosting:
250g unsalted butter
200g cream cheese
500-750g icing sugar
2tbsp banana milkshake powder

(Increase all quantities by 50% to bake across 3x sandwich tins)

1. Cream the butter and sugar until pale, creamy, and fluffy. Allow 5 minutes for this job in a freestanding mixer or a few minutes more using a hand
2. In a separate bowl, combine your flour and raising agents with a pinch of salt and a pinch of ground cinnamon, and set aside.
3. Beat your eggs, one at a time, into the creamed butter and sugar. Ensure that each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next one. If you notice any splitting or curdling of your mixture, throw in a spoonful of your dry ingredients.
4. Carefully fold half of your dry ingredients into the cake mix. Add yoghurt and mix until combined.
5. Fold in the second half of your dry ingredients. Finally, stir through the mashed bananas until evenly distributed.
6. Divide your cake mixture between two lined 8″ sandwich tins and bake for 30 minutes, or until risen and springy to the touch. When in doubt, a cocktail stick inserted into the middle of your cakes should come out clean. Cool these cakes in their tins for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
7. To make the banana frosting, begin by beating the butter until it is creamy and soft. Add half of your icing sugar and beat until combined.
8. Add your cream cheese and beat until combined. Add the banana milkshake powder and enough icing sugar to make a buttercream that is soft and spreadable but not runny, the consistency of thick whipped cream. It is hard to be specific about the exact amount of icing sugar that you will need as this is affected by ambient temperature. Beat for a further few minutes until light and deliciously fluffy. This extra time results in a really light buttercream that melts in the mouth.
9. Sandwich your two banana cakes together with a thin layer of banana buttercream in the middle. You will have sufficient buttercream to cover the top and sides of this cake too, if you wish. I have broken a handful of dried banana chips on top to decorate.