Banana cake delivers a perfect dessert combination of moistness and rich flavor together with simple preparation experience. This delightful dish offers an excellent solution to transform surplus bananas while fulfilling your taste for sweets. This guide explains the entire process to make banana cake from basic ingredients while sharing expert methods for achieving soft cake with deep banana tastes.
Several Reasons Exist to Admire This Banana Cake
- Quick and simple recipe
- Uses basic pantry ingredients
- Naturally sweet and moist
- Perfect for any occasion
The banana cake recipe suits both new bakers and experienced cooks since it produces delightful results while being friendly for beginners.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The following elements should be gathered when baking traditional banana cake:
- 3 ripe bananas (mashed)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup softened unsalted butter
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup buttermilk or milk with 1 tsp vinegar
Optional: Add-ins like chopped walnuts, chocolate chips, or cream cheese frosting.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round or square cake pan, or line with parchment paper.
Step 2: Whisk Dry Ingredients
Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In another large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This helps provide a tender crumb.
Step 4: Add Vanilla and Eggs
Add in eggs one at a time, beating each well after adding. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 5: Add Bananas and Buttermilk
Add in the mashed bananas, then the buttermilk. The batter may look a bit curdled—don’t panic, that’s okay.
Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry
Gently add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined—do not overmix to help keep the cake light and fluffy.
Step 7: Bake
Pour your prepared batter into your pan and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center is clean.
Step 8: Cool and Serve
Cool the cake in the pan 10 minutes and then transfer it to a wire rack. To frost, or serve plain dust with powdered sugar.
Tips for the Perfect Banana Cake
- Use overripe bananas: The browner, the better! They add natural sweetness and moisture.
- Don’t overmix: Stir until just combined to avoid a dense cake.
- Test with a toothpick: Every oven is different—check doneness around 30 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I make this banana cake vegan?
-yes! Use plant-based butter, flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water per egg), and a dairy-free milk alternative.
- Can I freeze banana cake?
-Yes. Wrap slices or the whole cake in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.
- What’s the difference between banana bread and banana cake?
-Banana cake is softer, lighter, and sweeter than banana bread, which is denser and not as sweet.
