BANANA NUT ROLL

I have no excuse for NOT making this recipe sooner and hubby is really mad that I didn’t.  This is one of those recipes that you could make each and EVERY week and NEVER get tired of!!

BANANA NUT ROLL
CAKE
4 eggs
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract
1/3 + 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup mashed banana
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/4 cup (garnish) finely chopped walnuts
1/4-1/3 cup golden raisins

• Separate eggs. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Lightly grease 15×10 jelly roll pan. Line with wax paper and grease the wax paper. Set aside.
• Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and pinch of salt. Set aside.

• Prepare the cream cheese filling. (SEE BELOW)
• Spread filling in prepared pan. Set aside.

• Preheat the oven to 375°.
• In a small mixing bowl beat the egg yolks with the vanilla, beating about 5 minutes until thick and lemon colored.
• Gradually add the 1/3 cup sugar beating on high until sugar is completely dissolved.
• With a spatula fold in banana and 1/2 cup nuts until well blended.
• Thoroughly wash the beaters.

• In a separate chilled clean bowl beat egg whites until soft peaks form.
• Gradually add the 1/2 cup sugar until STIFF peaks form.
• Fold banana mixture into the egg whites GENTLY and JUST until combined.
• GENTLY spoon batter over the filling in the pan and carefully spread evenly.
• Bake 15-20 minutes or until cake springs back.
• Immediately run a knife around the edge of the pan and turn cake out onto a cheesecloth sprinkled with powdered sugar.
• Carefully peel off wax paper and discard.
• Sprinkle with 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts and raisins.
• Starting from the short side, roll cake into a spiral.
• Cool on a wire rack.
• Prepare icing.
• Spread with cream cheese icing.
• Sprinkle with finely chopped nuts.

CREAM CHEESE FILLING
8 + 3 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk

• Combine softened cream cheese in mixing bowl with the sugar, beating until smooth.
• Add egg and milk, beating until well blended.

CREAM CHEESE ICING
3 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract
2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1-2 tablespoons milk

• Combine cream cheese, almond extract and vanilla extract, beating until light and fluffy.
• Gradually beat in the powdered sugar.
• Add in milk 1 tablespoon at a time to reach a spreadable consistency.

NOTE:  This icing recipe makes enough to cover the ENTIRE roll thickly.  If you just want a drizzle, cut the icing recipe in half!