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.

"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

1. 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.
2. 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 cake tests done. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.