Juanita'S Plantain Cake

• 1 cup oil for frying, or as needed
• 3 ripe plantains - peeled, halved, and each half cut into 3 to 4 pieces
• 6 eggs, separated
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 splash vanilla extract, or to taste
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 pinch salt
• 6 ounces queso fresco, crumbled

1. Heat about 1/2 inch of oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat; fry plantains until beginning to brown on both sides, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to cool completely, at least 10 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Heavily grease a 9x13-inch cake pan.
3. Beat egg whites in a bowl using an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Slowly add 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon white sugar; beat on high until completely smooth and thickened. Add vanilla extract and mix well. Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, and beat until completely smooth again.
4. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. Gradually mix flour mixture into egg mixture until batter is just mixed.
5. Spread 1/2 of the batter into the bottom of prepared cake pan. Place cooled plantains in an even layer on top of batter; top with enough queso fresco to lightly coat. Add 1 more layer plantain and cover with remaining batter, carefully working out any air bubbles with a spatula.
6. Place pan on the middle rack of preheated oven and bake until the center starts to firm up, 40 to 50 minutes.

oil, plantains, eggs, white sugar, white sugar, vanilla, flour, baking powder, salt, queso fresco

Taken from www.allrecipes.com/recipe/256833/juanitas-plantain-cake/ (may not work)