Meet the Southern Charm Cake — a delightful blend of ripe bananas, crushed pineapple, and crunchy pecans, all wrapped up in a luscious cream cheese frosting. This cake is a celebration of comforting Southern flavors that's perfect for family gatherings or a special treat on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
All-purpose flour forms the base of our cake, giving it structure and substance. Granulated sugar sweetens the batter just right, while baking soda helps the cake rise beautifully. A touch of salt enhances the flavors, and a sprinkle of cinnamon adds warmth. Eggs provide moisture and richness, and vegetable oil keeps the cake tender. Vanilla extract lends its sweet aroma, while crushed pineapple and mashed ripe bananas bring fruitiness and moisture. Pecans offer a nutty crunch, and for the frosting, cream cheese and unsalted butter create a creamy, rich base. Powdered sugar sweetens the frosting, and a touch more vanilla extract ties everything together.
This cake pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For an extra touch of Southern hospitality, enjoy it with a tall glass of sweet tea.
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F. This ensures that your cake bakes evenly. While that's happening, grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans to prevent sticking. Now, let's move on to mixing the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Give them a good whisk to make sure everything is well distributed.
Next, it's time to add the wet ingredients. Pour in the beaten eggs and vegetable oil, mixing until the dry ingredients are just moistened. Be careful not to overmix — you just want everything to come together. Now stir in the vanilla extract, crushed pineapple (with its juice), mashed bananas, and chopped pecans. Mix well until you have a uniform batter.
Divide the batter evenly between your prepared cake pans. You can eyeball it or use a kitchen scale for more accuracy. Pop the pans into your preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. You'll know they're done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Once baked, let the cakes cool in their pans on wire racks for about 10 minutes. After that, gently remove them from the pans and let them cool completely. While you're waiting, let's make the frosting. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until creamy and smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
Now for the fun part: assembling the cake! Place one cake layer on your serving plate, spread a generous amount of frosting over it, then place the second layer on top. Cover the top and sides with the remaining frosting. If you like, sprinkle some additional chopped pecans on top for decoration.
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