Monkey Banana Cake

For my grandson's first birthday I made him a monkey cake...complete with a tiny banana which was his 'smash cake'. He turned three not long ago...and requested a repeat of the monkey cake.

I found the banana cake recipe works perfectly for this cake. Mix as per instructions above...and then bake in a 10" inch springform pan and a small round Pyrex bowl (for monkey nose). I also made one mini loaf, that I carved into a banana shape.

Creamy Vanilla Frosting

This frosting spreads and pipes smoothly. Make sure the butter is really soft so the frosting won't split when tinted.

• 1-1/4 cups (300 mL) butter, softened
• 6 cups (1.5 L) icing sugar
• 3/4 cup (175 mL) whipping cream
• 2 tsp (10 mL) vanilla

In large bowl, beat butter until fluffy. Alternately beat in sugar and cream, making 3 additions of sugar and 2 of cream. Beat in vanilla.

To assemble:

• Remove a small amount of icing to be tinted yellow...for small banana cake.
• Divide remaining frosting into two bowls. Tint one portion a skin-tone.
• Add 2 squares semi-sweet chocolate (melted) to remaining frosting.
• Centre round cake on prepared base...allowing enough room for small banana cake below.
• Position nose on monkey's face...and glue in place with frosting.
• Put a skim coat of skin-toned icing over entire cake...with a somewhat thicker layer over face area.
• Position vanilla wafer for ears. Using icing bags and decorating tips to apply chocolate icing. I used assorted chocolates for the mouth, nose and eyes...but use your imagination!
• Frost tiny banana 'smash cake' with yellow icing...add a few green streaks with toothpick.