TENNESSEE BANANA-BLACK WALNUT CAKE WITH CARAMEL FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F; grease and flour 2(9-inch) cake pans.
• For the cake: In a medium bowl, stir together flour and baking soda; set aside.
• Using an electric mixer, cream together shortening and sugar in a bowl until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add eggs 1 at a time, mixing well after each addition.
• Mix in mashed bananas, buttermilk,and vanilla; add flour mixture and mix until just combined.
• Stir in walnuts.
• Pour into prepared pans, bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 35 minutes.
• Cool in pans on a cooling rack, remove from pans and cool completely.
• While cake is baking, prepare frosting.
• Melt butter in a small saucepan.
• Add brown sugar and 1/3 cup cream; cook over medium-low heat until sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes.
• Remove from heat and add vanilla; transfer to a large bowl.
• Using a hand mixer, beat in confectioners sugar a little at a time until smooth.
• (If frosting is to thick, add 1 tablespoon heavy cream at a time until consistency is right).
• Sandwich 2 layers of cake with frosting; frost outside of the cake.
• Press chopped walnuts on sides of cake, if desired.