Ingredients

The following ingredients have 4 Servings
  • 3 cups self raising flour
  • 3 eggs
  • 1½ cups brown sugar (firmly packed)
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • ½ teaspoon salt (if self raising flour doesn't contain salt)
  • 2 mashed bananas
  • 1 can crushed pineapple (drained from juice)
  • 1½ cups toasted (chopped pecans (save ½ cup for topping))
  • ½ cup desiccated coconut
  • 8 oz /500g room temp cream cheese
  • 2 cups icing sugar
  • ½ cup butter (room temp)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

Instruction

  • Toast the pecans by placing them in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Stir with a wooden spoon continuously so they don't burn. As they start to turn a bit darker and smell like toasting nuts, they are done. Cool on a paper towel.
  • Place all the ingredients (except the toasted pecans and coconut) into a bowl. Using a hand mixer, mix together until well blended (at least 2 minutes). Add 1 cup of toasted pecans and the desiccated coconut and mix using a spoon.
  • Preheat oven to 320°F/160°F. Using butter, lightly grease 2 x 8" round baking pans. Line the base of the pans with baking paper. Pour the cake batter evenly in both pans.
  • Bake in the oven for about 35 minutes, rotate the pans halfway through. Using a toothpick check to see if it comes out clean. Allow to cool before removing from pans onto wire racks. 
  • Take the softened cream cheese, butter, icing sugar and vanilla bean paste and mix together using a hand mixer.
  • Place first layer of cake on a your cake stand or cake turntable. Some use a piping bag (or a Ziplock bag with the corner cut) to pipe the frosting on the cake. I use a palette knife to level about half of the frosting, with emphasis on the edges. Place the 2nd cake over the frosting. Using the palette knife, fill any gaps on the sides of the cake with extra frosting. Smooth the frosting on the sides of the cake whilst turning.
  • Cover the remaining frosting on the top of the cake and smooth it out. Garnish with the remaining chopped pecans.