Cake:

2 1/2 c. sifted cake flour
1 2/3 c. sugar
1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
2/3 c. solid vegetable shortening
2/3 c. buttermilk
1 1/4 c. mashed ripe bananas
2 eggs (unbeaten)

Frosting:

2 egg whites
1 1/2 c. packed brown sugar
5 tbsp. water
dash of salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 banana, sliced

Chocolate Garnish:

2 sq. sweet baking chocolate
1 tbsp. butter

To make cake, sift flour, sugar, baking powder, soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Add shortening, buttermilk and mashed bananas; mix until dry ingredients are moistened. Beat at low speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs; beat 1 minute.

Bake in two 9-inch greased and floured layer pans at 350°F for 40 minutes or until cake tests done. Remove from pans; cool on wire racks.

To make frosting, combine egg whites, sugar, water and salt in top of 6-cup double boiler; beat slightly to mix. Place over rapidly boiling water; beat with mixer at high speed until frosting stands in peaks, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat. Add vanilla; beat 1 to 2 minutes or until thick enough to spread. Spread frosting between cooled layers; top with banana slices. Put layers together. Frost cake.

For garnish, melt chocolate and butter; drizzle over frosting.