Moist Banana Cake (Printable version)
Light, fluffy banana cake with ripe banana flavor, tender crumb, and optional cream cheese frosting or chopped nuts.
# Ingredient List:
→ Wet Ingredients
01 - 3 large ripe bananas, mashed
02 - 1/2 cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 tsp lemon juice)
03 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
04 - 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 2 tsp vanilla extract
→ Dry Ingredients
08 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
09 - 1 tsp baking powder
10 - 1 tsp baking soda
11 - 1/4 tsp salt
→ Optional Topping
12 - 2/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
13 - Cream cheese frosting (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9-inch round or square cake pan with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
03 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in mashed bananas, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until thoroughly combined.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly distributed.
05 - Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this will affect the cake's texture.
06 - Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Sprinkle chopped nuts evenly over the surface if desired.
07 - Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
08 - Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
09 - Once fully cooled, spread cream cheese frosting over the top of the cake if desired, then slice and serve.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- This cake stays ridiculously moist for days, almost as if it gets better with time.
- You probably have every single ingredient sitting in your pantry right now.
- It doubles as a breakfast treat and a dessert without anyone questioning you.
02 -
- Resist the urge to open the oven door before 25 minutes or the cake may sink in the center.
- Using cold eggs straight from the fridge can cause the batter to curdle, so bring them to room temperature first.
03 -
- A pinch of cinnamon or a handful of mini chocolate chips folded in at the end takes this from great to unforgettable.
- Mash your bananas with a fork rather than a blender so you keep lovely small lumps throughout the batter.