Preheat oven to 350℉. Gather your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table. Prepare your ingredients.Using a blending fork or potato masher, mash the bananas. Chop the nuts with a knife or nut chopper.
Mix the Cake Batter
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt, baking soda, and ground cinnamon.
Add large eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix together until moistened. (The batter will be rather stiff at this point.)
Add the mashed bananas, undrained pineapple, and chopped pecans or English walnuts.
Pour the batter into two round 9-inch cake pans lined with waxed paper or an oblong baking pan sprayed with cooking spray.
Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and tests done in the center with a toothpick. Remove from oven and Allow the cake to cool for 10 minutes and then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely. If using an oblong pan, bake for 45-50 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely before icing the cake. Allow the cake to cool 10 minutes, and then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting
In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, softened butter, whole milk and vanilla extract. Mix until well blended, about 2-3 minutes.
Icing a Layer Cake
To ice a layer cake, begin with the bottom layer, placing the top side down on the cake plate.If desired, you may place strips of waxed paper around the bottom of the cake to prevent any icing smudges.
Divide the frosting into thirds, and spread 1/3 on the bottom layer.
Next, place the second layer top side up and spoon 1/3 of the frosting along the edges so that you can frost the sides of the cake. Be sure to fill any gaps between the layers.
Finish by swirling the remaining frosting on the top in a decorative fashion. Sprinkle chopped nuts on top, as desired.Sometimes I sprinkle the nuts in the center of the cake, while other times I sprinkle the entire top.
If you’ve opted to bake this cake in an oblong cake pan, simply spread the cream cheese frosting on cake and sprinkle the top with chopped nuts.
This recipe will serve 12-16 people.
Notes
*Unless otherwise indicated, all butter used on this recipe site is salted.