Brent's Birthday-Fun times and Banana Triple Layer Cake

You know, I'm always a few weeks behind... I just can't keep up with all the joy, love and celebration! Seriously though... what do you do for your husband's 49th birthday party? Well, make him all the things he would  LOVE and that you would never make (may be you don't like it- mushroom- or maybe it's too decadent - banana cream layer cake)... but it's a celebration and let me share the love and good times we had with you.

Here's a fantastic group shot around the b-day boy.

Ok, seriously funny coincidence, but Brent's favourite colour is blue and my dad, Cooper and I are all wearing the blues.

Of course.... so is the birthday boy and a baseball shirt at that!

Oh ok, HI! have you met my gorgeous nephew and his big blue eyes?

Group Shot and the Sunshine!

Breadsticks and cucumbers and dip for my little niece!

Special cousin time playing on Mela's new laptop, entertaining the little one with fun online kid stuff so the parents could enjoy some peace.... you know how it is!

Ok, now I am showing you a little bit of  'celebration' food. Prepare yourself for one great banana cake ride. Here's the birthday boy eyeing his triple decker cake.

I had never made a triple layer cake and it was quite a production. But hey, my man's worth it. SO you need 3, 8inch round pans, how about a 9 inch and 2, 8 inch... I just cut around the edge... That might be why it turned out a bit lopsided.

Here' s the recipe folks:

Banana Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

(adapted from http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Banana-Layer-Cake-with-Cream-Cheese-Frosting-4694#ixzz2vtFIx9JO)

Ingredients:

    2 1/4 cups cake flour

    3/4 teaspoon baking soda

    1/2 teaspoon baking powder

    1/2 teaspoon plus pinch of salt

    1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large)

    1/4 cup buttermilk

    1 teaspoon plus 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

    1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

    1 1/3 cups sugar

    2 large eggs

    2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature

    1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

    2 large bananas, peeled, sliced

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly butter three 8-inch-diameter cake pans with 2-inch-high sides; dust pans with flour. Combine cake flour, baking soda, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt in medium bowl. Mix mashed bananas, buttermilk and 1 teaspoon vanilla in another medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat 1/2 cup butter and sugar in large bowl until blended. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating to blend after each addition. Add dry ingredients alternately with banana mixture in 3 additions, beginning and ending with dry ingredients and beating just until blended after each addition. Divide batter equally among prepared pans.

Bake cakes until tops are just beginning to color and tester inserted into center comes out with a few crumbs attached, about 20 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on racks 10 minutes. Using small knife, cut around cakes to loosen; turn cakes out onto racks and cool completely.

Beat cream cheese and remaining 1 cup butter in large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in remaining 1 tablespoon vanilla and pinch of salt. Gradually beat in powdered sugar. Cover and refrigerate frosting until firm enough to spread, about 15 minutes.

Place 1 cake layer on platter. Spread 1/2 cup frosting over top. Place half of sliced bananas evenly over frosting, leaving 1/4-inch border at edge. Place second cake layer on work surface. Spread 1/4 cup frosting over top. Place cake layer, frosting side down, atop bananas. Spread 1/2 cup frosting over top. Place remaining half of sliced bananas evenly over frosting, leaving 1/4-inch border at edge. Place third cake layer on work surface. Spread 1/4 cup frosting over top.

Place cake layer, frosting side down, atop bananas. Spread remaining frosting over sides and top of cake. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Let stand 1 hour at room temperature before serving.) I decided to add some caramel drizzle on top of the cake and between the layers. Crazy good!

If you ever have a reason to celebrate with people who love bananas. This is a must!