Banana Cake Recipe
This Banana Cake recipe delivers incredible moisture and rich flavor using mashed bananas and buttermilk. Finished with a smooth cream cheese frosting, it is the perfect dessert for any occasion.
18 Servings
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups mashed bananas
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 ⅛ cups white sugar
- ¾ cup butter softened
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups buttermilk
For the Frosting:
- ½ cup butter softened
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ½ cups confectioners' sugar
Instructions
Prepare for Baking
- Preheat the oven to 275°F (135°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan to prevent the cake from sticking.
Combine the Bananas and Lemon Juice
- In a small bowl, combine the mashed bananas and lemon juice. Set aside to prevent discoloration.
Prepare the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution and prevents clumping.
Cream the Butter and Sugar
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the white sugar and softened butter together until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
Incorporate the Eggs and Vanilla
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until fully combined.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
- Gradually add the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk to the butter mixture. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Add the Banana Mixture
- Gently fold the banana and lemon juice mixture into the batter until evenly incorporated.
Bake the Cake
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Apply the Freezer Method
- Immediately after removing the cake from the oven, place the pan directly into the freezer for 45 minutes. This step locks in moisture and enhances the cake’s texture.
Prepare the Frosting
- While the cake cools, beat the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add the vanilla extract and continue mixing. Gradually incorporate the confectioners' sugar and beat until the frosting becomes creamy and spreadable.
Frost the Cake
- Once the cake has completely cooled, evenly spread the prepared frosting across the surface.
Serve
- Slice and serve as desired. Enjoy.
Notes
To make this banana cake gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Ensure that the baking soda, confectioners' sugar, and other ingredients are certified gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination.