Banana Pudding Cake

INGREDIENTS

1 box vanilla cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box

1 (3.4 oz) box vanilla pudding mix

2 c. cold milk

1/2 c. Cool Whip

1 1/2 c. butter, softened

5 c. powdered sugar

2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Pinch of kosher salt

1/4 c. plus 2 tbsp. heavy cream

2 bananas, sliced

1 c. crushed Nilla Wafers

Whole Nilla Wafers, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Make cake: Preheat oven to 350°. Line two round 9″ cake pans with parchment paper and grease with cooking spray. Prepare cake mix according to package instructions. Divide batter between cake pans and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cakes cool for 10 minutes in pans then invert onto wire racks to cool completely.

Make pudding: In a large bowl, combine pudding mix and milk and stir until thickened, about 5 minutes. Fold in Cool Whip.

Make buttercream frosting: In a large bowl using a hand mixer, combine butter, 3 cups powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat until light and fluffy. Add remaining sugar and heavy cream and beat until smooth.

Assemble cake: Using a serrated knife, cut off the rounded top of each cake to level. Top one cake with a layer of pudding then top with most of the banana slices (reserve some for garnish). Place second cake on top and frost entire cake with buttercream, reserving about 1 cup to pipe on top. Press crushed Nilla wafers around the sides of the cake.

Transfer remaining buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip and pipe large swirls around the top of the cake. Decorate with Nilla wafers and more banana slices.