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. Butter should be soft to prevent the frosting from splitting 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

1. In large bowl, beat butter until fluffy. 
2. Alternately, beat in sugar and creamin three additions of each.
3. Beat in vanilla.

To assemble:

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