BANANA CAKE- STRAWBERRY HONEY FILLING & CREAM CHEE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour an 8 inch cake pan and an 8 inch metal mixing bowl. Line the cake pan with parchment paper. Set aside. Or grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan or two 9 inch layer cake pans.
• In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar and eggs. Sift flour several times, then add the salt and baking powder to the flour.
• To the creamed butter mixture, slowly add the milk and flour.
• Add vanilla, baking soda and pureed bananas
• Bake cakes for 25-30 minutes, for the 9x13 inch pan approximately 35-40 minutes.
• Remove from oven, place on cooling racks; allow to cool and remove from pans. Slice layers in half. While cake is baking prepare the filling.
• Strawberry Honey Filling: Puree half of the strawberries in a food processor with the honey, maple syrup, lemon juice, and vanilla until a smooth sauce is formed. Add the remaining strawberries and pulse until chopped, but not liquefied. Set aside.
• Cream Cheese Frosting: In a large mixing bowl combine cream cheese and butter, beat until smooth. Add sugar and vanilla, beat well.
• Marzipan Honey Bees: Take a small piece of the marzipan and roll it between the palms of your hands until a 1 inch sized rope is shaped. Paint the stripes on the marzipan with a clean paintbrush using black food coloring. Place them on a sheet of parchment allowing them to dry. When they are no longer tacky, press 2 almond slivers into the bees to make their wings. Twist a little crafting wire, insert one end into the bottom of the bees.** The bees can be made several days ahead and stored in a sealed container.
• To construct the cake: Place 1 8inch layer on cake plate, put a very thin layer of the cream cheese frosting (crumb coat thickness) over the cake first. This helps to keep the berry filling from seeping into your cake. (To make the crumb coat thickness: just thin a little of the cream cheese frosting with milk to an approximate consistency of mayonnaise.)
• ** Before applying the berry filling, use some of the cream cheese frosting to build a "dam" around the edge of cake. This keeps the filling in place so it doesn't squeeze out when you put on the next layer. Place some of the strawberry honey filling on the first layer. Repeat with the remaining layers.
• When all the layers are in place, swirl the remaining frosting on the cake in a beehive pattern. Insert the Marzipan Honey Bees Ta-Da... a wonderful, luscious springtime cake