Caramel-Frosted Hummingbird Cake

Ingredients

• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 Tbsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
• 2 cups mashed bananas (5 medium)
• 1 cup cooking oil
• 1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 2 cups peeled, shredded uncooked sweet potatoes (about 1/2 lb.)
• 1 8-oz. can crushed pineapple (juice pack), drained
• 1 recipe Caramel Butter Frosting

Directions

1. Let eggs stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease three 9-inch round cake pans. Line bottoms with waxed or parchment paper. Grease and flour paper; set aside.

2. In bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cloves. Stir in bananas, oil, eggs, and vanilla until moist and thick. Stir in sweet potatoes and pineapple. Spread evenly in prepared pans.

3. Bake 30 minutes or until pick inserted near centers comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans. Peel off paper. Cool completely.

4. Prepare Caramel Butter Frosting. Place one layer, flat side up, on plate. Spread top only with 1-1/4 cups frosting. Stack and frost remaining layers. Makes 16 servings.

5. Caramel Butter Frosting: In large saucepan melt 1 cup butter; add 2 cups packed brown sugar. Bring to boiling over medium heat; stirring constantly. Cook and stir 1 minute; cool 5 minutes. Whisk in 1/2 cup milk until smooth. Whisk in 6 cups powdered sugar until smooth. Use at once; frosting stiffens as it cools. Makes 4 cups.