Easy Banana Cake Recipe | Moist & Delicious!
Baking a banana cake has a very satisfying quality. It provides a tasty method to use up overripe bananas and fills your house with a pleasant, comforting aroma. This simple banana cake recipe offers a luscious texture, rich banana flavor, and no bother, regardless of baking experience. It’s the ideal dessert, teatime treat, or even a sweet breakfast to go with coffee.
We’ll guide you through each step in this post, from choosing the ideal bananas to serving ideas and optional modifications. Come on, let’s bake!
🍌 Why You’ll Love This Banana Cake
• Super Moist & Tender: Thanks to the mashed bananas and a touch of oil or butter.
• Easy to Make: Simple pantry ingredients and no fancy equipment needed.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Serve it plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or topped with cream cheese frosting.
• Great for Using Overripe Bananas: The more brown spots, the better!
🛒 Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for a basic banana cake:
Dry Ingredients:
• 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ tsp cinnamon (optional, but adds lovely warmth)
Wet Ingredients:
• 3 ripe bananas (medium to large)
• ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil or melted butter
• ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (60ml) milk or buttermilk
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Grease a 9×9-inch square pan or a round 8-inch cake pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Mash the Bananas
• In a large bowl, mash the bananas with a fork or potato masher until mostly smooth. A few small lumps are fine.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
• Add the sugar, oil (or melted butter), eggs, vanilla, and milk to the mashed bananas.
• Whisk until well combined and smooth.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using).
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
• Stir gently using a spatula or whisk just until no dry flour remains. Do not overmix—this keeps the cake light and tender.
Step 6: Bake
• Pour the batter into your prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
• Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Let the cake cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
🎂 Serving Suggestions
This banana cake is so flavorful, it’s delicious even on its own. But if you want to dress it up a bit, here are a few serving ideas:
• Dust with powdered sugar for a classic, light finish.
• Top with cream cheese frosting for a richer, tangier experience.
• Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for extra crunch.
• Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.
🧁 Optional Frosting Recipe: Cream Cheese Frosting
Here’s a simple cream cheese frosting that pairs beautifully with banana cake:
Ingredients:
• 4 oz (115g) cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup (60g) butter, softened
• 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
1. Beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
2. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, then beat until light and fluffy.
3. Spread over cooled cake and enjoy!
✅ Tips for Success
• Use overripe bananas: The bananas should have brown spots or be fully brown. This boosts natural sweetness and adds moisture.
• Don’t overmix the batter: Mix just until everything is combined to avoid a dense cake.
• Adjust sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet cake, reduce the sugar slightly, especially if you’re adding frosting.
• Bake immediately: Once the batter is mixed, get it into the oven quickly to activate the leavening agents.
🔄 Variations to Try
Feel free to get creative! Here are a few tasty variations:
• Banana Nut Cake: Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter.
• Banana Chocolate Chip Cake: Stir in ½ cup chocolate chips for extra indulgence.
• Vegan Banana Cake: Use flax eggs and non-dairy milk for a plant-based version.
• Whole Wheat Banana Cake: Swap half the flour for whole wheat flour for added fiber and a nutty flavor.
🧊 Storage & Freezing
Storing:
• Keep the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• If frosted with cream cheese, refrigerate it and consume within 5 days.
Freezing:
• Wrap the unfrosted cake (whole or in slices) tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or on the counter for a few hours before serving.
💬 Final Thoughts
A staple in your baking repertoire is this simple banana cake. It’s the type of meal that always works well for afternoon tea or family get-togethers. Its naturally sweet banana flavor and soft, fluffy texture are evidence that even basic ingredients may produce something genuinely unique.
This cake is a versatile and infallible treat that is sure to become a household favorite, whether you prefer it simple, frosted, or loaded with toppings like chocolate chips or almonds.
🍽️ Have You Tried This Recipe?
Tell us how your banana cake came out by leaving a comment below! We love to hear from other bakers, so please feel free to ask any questions or share your own twists!