Discover the ultimate banana cake recipe that’s hailed as the best in the world! This moist, flavorful, and easy-to-make cake is perfect for any occasion. With ripe bananas and a creamy frosting, it promises to delight your taste buds. Let’s dive into how you can make this delicious treat.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups bananas, mashed, ripe
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 3 cups flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup butter, softened
- 2 1/8 cups sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
Frosting:
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 1/2 cups icing sugar
Directions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C). Grease and flour a 9 x 13-inch pan.
- Prepare Banana Mixture: In a small bowl, mix mashed bananas with lemon juice and set aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream 3/4 cup butter and 2 1/8 cups sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in 2 teaspoons of vanilla.
- Combine Mixtures: Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk. Stir in the banana mixture.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake in the preheated oven for one hour or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Freeze Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and place it directly into the freezer for 45 minutes to ensure it stays very moist.
- Prepare Frosting: For the frosting, cream the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add the icing sugar and beat on low speed until combined, then on high speed until the frosting is smooth.
- Frost the Cake: Spread the frosting on the cooled cake.
- Optional Topping: Sprinkle chopped walnuts or decorative hearts over the top of the frosting, if desired.
Serving and Storage Tips:
Serving Tips:
- Best Temperature: Serve the banana cake slightly chilled or at room temperature to enjoy the perfect texture and flavor.
- Enhancements: Enhance your banana cake experience by pairing it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
- Presentation: For a more elegant presentation, dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar or decorate with fresh banana slices and mint leaves.
Storage Tips:
- Refrigeration: Store the banana cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will keep the cake fresh for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze individual slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer-safe bag. The cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw slices in the refrigerator overnight.
- Prevent Drying: To prevent the cake from drying out, make sure it is fully covered with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container before refrigeration or freezing.
Variations:
1. Chocolate Chip Banana Cake
- Add-In: Fold in 1 cup of mini chocolate chips to the batter before baking.
- Frosting: Top with a chocolate ganache instead of cream cheese frosting for an extra indulgent treat.
2. Walnut Banana Cake
- Add-In: Mix in 1 cup of chopped walnuts into the batter.
- Topping: Sprinkle additional chopped walnuts over the cream cheese frosting for a crunchy texture.
3. Blueberry Banana Cake
- Add-In: Gently fold in 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries into the batter.
- Frosting: Add a lemon zest to the cream cheese frosting for a refreshing twist.
4. Caramel Banana Cake
- Filling: Spread a layer of caramel sauce between the cake layers.
- Frosting: Drizzle caramel sauce over the top of the cream cheese frosting and sprinkle with sea salt.
5. Coconut Banana Cake
- Add-In: Incorporate 1 cup of shredded coconut into the batter.
- Frosting: Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top of the cream cheese frosting.
6. Peanut Butter Banana Cake
- Add-In: Swirl 1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter into the batter before baking.
- Frosting: Top with a peanut butter frosting by mixing 1/2 cup peanut butter with the cream cheese frosting.
7. Strawberry Banana Cake
- Add-In: Fold in 1 cup of chopped fresh strawberries into the batter.
- Frosting: Garnish the cream cheese frosting with sliced strawberries and a drizzle of strawberry syrup.
8. Espresso Banana Cake
- Add-In: Dissolve 1 tablespoon of instant espresso powder in the buttermilk before adding to the batter.
- Frosting: Add a hint of coffee to the cream cheese frosting by mixing in 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder.
9. Lemon Poppy Seed Banana Cake
- Add-In: Add 2 tablespoons of poppy seeds to the batter along with the banana mixture.
- Frosting: Mix in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of lemon zest into the cream cheese frosting.
10. Pineapple Banana Cake
- Add-In: Fold in 1 cup of crushed pineapple (drained) into the batter.
- Frosting: Top with a pineapple cream cheese frosting by mixing in 1/4 cup pineapple juice into the frosting mixture.
11. Apple Cinnamon Banana Cake
- Add-In: Fold in 1 cup of finely chopped apples and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon into the batter.
- Frosting: Top with a cinnamon cream cheese frosting by adding 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the frosting mixture.
12. Maple Pecan Banana Cake
- Add-In: Mix in 1 cup of chopped pecans and 1/4 cup of maple syrup into the batter.
- Frosting: Drizzle maple syrup over the cream cheese frosting and sprinkle with additional chopped pecans.
13. Tropical Banana Cake
- Add-In: Fold in 1/2 cup of chopped dried pineapple, 1/2 cup of shredded coconut, and 1/2 cup of chopped macadamia nuts into the batter.
- Frosting: Garnish the cream cheese frosting with toasted coconut flakes and macadamia nuts.
14. Orange Banana Cake
- Add-In: Add 1 tablespoon of orange zest and 1/4 cup of fresh orange juice to the batter.
- Frosting: Mix in 1 tablespoon of orange juice and 1 teaspoon of orange zest into the cream cheese frosting.
15. Chai-Spiced Banana Cake
- Add-In: Incorporate 1 teaspoon each of ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, ground ginger, and ground cloves into the batter.
- Frosting: Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon of ground cardamom to the cream cheese frosting.
16. Almond Banana Cake
- Add-In: Fold in 1 cup of sliced almonds into the batter.
- Frosting: Sprinkle sliced almonds over the cream cheese frosting and drizzle with a light almond glaze made from powdered sugar and almond extract.
FAQs:
- Can I use overripe bananas for this recipe?
- Yes, overripe bananas are perfect for this recipe as they add natural sweetness and moisture.
- Can I make this cake without eggs?
- Yes, you can use flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg) as a substitute.
- What type of frosting can I use if I don’t like cream cheese frosting?
- You can use buttercream frosting or a simple lemon glaze as alternatives.
- Can I make this cake gluten-free?
- Yes, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- How can I make the cake more moist?
- Placing the cake in the freezer immediately after baking helps retain moisture.
- Can I add nuts to the batter?
- Absolutely, adding nuts like walnuts or pecans can give the cake a nice crunch.
- Is it necessary to use buttermilk?
- Buttermilk adds a tangy flavor and moist texture, but you can use regular milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar as a substitute.
- How long can I store the cake?
- The cake can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Can I make cupcakes with this recipe?
- Yes, you can use this batter to make cupcakes. Adjust the baking time to 20-25 minutes.
- What can I use instead of lemon juice?
- You can use lime juice or white vinegar as a substitute for lemon juice.
This Banana Cake truly lives up to its title as the best in the world. With its moist texture, rich banana flavor, and creamy frosting, it’s a dessert that will impress anyone who tries it. Whether you’re baking it for a special occasion or just to enjoy at home, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. Happy baking!