BANANA NUT CAKE WITH PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING

2 1/3 cups flour
1 2/3 cups sugar
1 1/4 cup (3 medium) bananas, mashed
2/3 cup shortening
2/3 cup finely chopped nuts (your choice)
2/3 cup buttermilk
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1 1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
3 eggs
Peanut Butter Frosting (recipe follows)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour a 9 x 13-inch baking pan; set aside.

In large mixing bowl, mix the sugar and shortening until fluffy. Add eggs and bananas, mixing until blended. In a small medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to the banana mixture alternately with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour. Blend well. Stir in the nuts. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan. When cooled completely, frost with the peanut butter frosting.

PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING:
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 to 1/3 cup milk, as needed

Mix the peanut butter and powdered sugar in the medium bowl of electric mixer. Stir in the vanilla. Add the milk until the frosting is smooth and of a spreading consistency.

Yield: 16 servings

 Note: From Betty Crocker