Banana Applesauce Cake

Name: Banana Applesauce Cake
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 16-20 servings
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened; 2 cups sugar; 4 eggs, separated; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 cup milk; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract; FILLING:; 2 cups sweetened applesauce; 3 medium firm bananas, sliced; 3 tablespoons lemon juice; FROSTING:; 1 cup sugar; 2 egg whites; 3 tablespoons water; 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut, toasted

Total Time Prep: 40 min. Bake: 25 min. + cooling

Yield 16-20 servings

Test Kitchen Approved

"THIS CAKE was always my mother's special treat for her six children. It's a delectable 'mountain' of cake and fruit, and very moist."

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs, separated
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
FILLING:
2 cups sweetened applesauce
3 medium firm bananas, sliced
3 tablespoons lemon juice
FROSTING:
1 cup sugar
2 egg whites
3 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut, toasted

Directions

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolk. Beat in extracts. Combine flour and baking powder; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition.
In a small bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form; gently fold into batter. Pour into three greased 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
Divide applesauce and spread over two cake layers. Dip bananas in lemon juice; arrange over applesauce. Stack on serving plate with plain layer on top.
For frosting, in a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, egg whites, water, cream of tartar and salt over low heat. With a hand mixer, beat on low speed for 1 minute. Continue beating on low over low heat until frosting reaches 160°, about 8-10 minutes.
Pour into a large bowl; add vanilla. Beat on high until stiff peaks form, about 7 minutes. Frost sides and top of cake. Sprinkle with coconut. Store in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 332 calories, 11g fat (7g saturated fat), 69mg cholesterol, 191mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (39g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.

"THIS CAKE was always my mother's special treat for her six children. It's a delectable 'mountain' of cake and fruit, and very moist."

Recipe Creator