Banana Cake With Strawberries and Vanilla Icing

Strawberries and bananas are such a classic pair-- and no wonder!! It's such a delicious combination. Stepping away from the standard combinations is definitely a good thing, but sometimes it is nice to have something familiar. It brings about a sense of nostalgia-- at least for me.

The vanilla icing in this recipe is not a make it or break it, but it definitely adds a little extra deliciousness. This cake is extremely moist and dense, but, if you're anything like me, you'll probably find it difficult to not eat the entire thing!

Cake Ingredients:

• 3 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 cup vegan butter, softened
• 5 ripe bananas, mushed
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup soymilk
• 3 cups freshly sliced strawberries

Icing Ingredients:

• 2 cups vegan powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoon hot water
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoons corn syrup

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan
3. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and sea salt.
4. In a stand mixer, add bananas and vegan butter. Mix on low speed until fully incorporated.
5. While still on low speed, add both sugars. Mix until sugar dissolves. While still mixung, add in bananas, and vanilla extract. 
6. Leaving mixer on, add in 1 cup of dry mixture. Once combined, add in soy milk and remaining dry mixture.
7. Mix until all ingredients are combined, but be careful not to over mix.
8. Remove mixing bowl from mixer, and fold in strawberry slices.
9. Pour batter into greased baking pan, put in oven, and let bake for 55 minutes to an hour. (You can test with a toothpick to make sure the cake is fully baked before removing it from the oven.)
10. Remove from oven and let cool completely before frosting.

Icing:

1. Mix all icing ingredients together until a smooth paste forms. (You can add more sugar if it is too thin, or more water if it is too thick)
2. Pour over the top of the un-cut cake.
3. Spread with a spatula or knife until the icing covers the top (It probably won't be completely even unless your cake baked perfectly flat!)
4. Let the icing harden for about 10 minutes before cutting.

Enjoy!!