Welcome to our top banana cake recipe, a UK household favourite! This recipe is known for its deep banana flavour, thanks to ripe bananas. It creates a moist cake with the perfect sweetness and a lovely cream cheese frosting.
It has received a fantastic 4.8-star rating from 632 reviews, making it a top dessert in the UK. The secret is buttermilk, which makes the cake super moist and fluffy. The cream cheese frosting adds creaminess, topping off this amazing dessert.
Preparation takes around 5 hours, with baking time between 45-50 minutes. It’s worth the effort for any baking fan. Keep reading for all you need to know about making this delicious banana cake, including ingredients, steps, and pro tips for best banana cake recipe.
Ingredients for a Moist Banana Cake Recipe
Creating the best banana cake recipe a delicious and moist banana cake starts with the right ingredients. The basis of our recipe is ripe bananas, specifically 1 1/2 cups of mashed ones. This is about 3-4 bananas. These ripe bananas are naturally sweet and add great flavour to the cake.
Baking essentials such as all-purpose flour, baking powder, and baking soda help the cake rise perfectly. We prefer unsalted butter to keep the cake’s flavour pure. Adding both granulated and brown sugars gives depth and a caramel touch. A hint of cinnamon also adds warmth, matching the banana flavour beautifully.
An important part of our recipe is buttermilk. It’s crucial for a moist texture and makes the cake light. If buttermilk is hard to find, you can make a substitute. Just mix lemon juice or white vinegar with whole milk.
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Mashed Ripe Bananas | 1 1/2 cups (3-4 bananas) |
| Baking Powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Baking Soda | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Unsalted Butter | 1/2 cup |
| Granulated Sugar | 1/2 cup |
| Brown Sugar | 1/2 cup |
| Buttermilk | 1/2 cup |
| Cinnamon | 1/2 teaspoon |
For the best ever banana cake frosting, we use a classic cream cheese mix. It includes 8 ounces of full-fat brick cream cheese, 1/4 cup unsalted butter, and 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar. A splash of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt make it perfectly sweet and flavourful.
Before baking, preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F). Bake the cake for 25 to 30 minutes. Measuring ingredients correctly, choosing the right pan sizes, and following the mixing steps are critical for the perfect texture and rise of your banana cake.
How to Make the Best Banana Cake Recipe
Creating the best banana cake starts by mashing ripe bananas until they’re smooth. This banana purée, mixed with the butter and sugars, gives the cake a rich banana flavour. It’s a simple process that makes a big difference.
We then mix in dry ingredients, like flour, slowly into the banana mix. This step makes sure everything combines well without making the cake heavy. For the wet ingredients, we add butter, eggs, and milk to the bananas.
The baking method is straightforward. Pour the mix into a prepared tin and bake. If you’re using an 8×8-inch pan, it takes 25 to 30 minutes at 170°C. Make sure the oven is preheated and do a toothpick test to check if it’s done.
To finish, let the best banana cake recipe cool before adding the frosting. For a lush cream cheese frosting, whip cream cheese and butter until fluffy. It’s important to apply the frosting lightly, enhancing rather than overwhelming the cake.
For storage tips, wrap the cake well to keep it moist at room temperature for a couple of days. You can also freeze it for three months. Just remember to thaw it in the fridge before frosting and serving.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 2 cups |
| Unsalted butter | 100 grams |
| Ripe bananas | 2 cups (mashed) |
| Eggs | 2 |
| Milk | ½ cup |
| Ground cinnamon | ¾ teaspoon (adjustable) |
| Softened cream cheese | 8 oz |
| Softened unsalted butter | 113 grams |
| Canola or vegetable oil | 175 ml |
Tips for the Perfect Banana Cake
To make a great banana cake, it’s about more than just following the recipe. It’s crucial to use bananas that are ripe enough. This gives your cake a rich, deep taste. Generally, you’ll need about 4 ripe bananas, mashed up. This is roughly 470 grams. It’s also vital to measure your ingredients accurately, like ¾ cup (170 grams) of unsalted butter, to keep the cake moist.
Getting the temperature of your ingredients right can make a big difference too. Use softened butter and eggs that are at room temperature. This best banana cake recipe helps the batter mix evenly and prevents it from becoming too dense. Before adding them to the wet ingredients, mix your dry ingredients well. This ensures there are no lumps. For a perfectly baked cake, follow the baking time and temperature closely—170°C for 40 to 50 minutes. Don’t forget to check if it’s done with a skewer!
Think about trying different frostings on your banana cake. A popular choice is cream cheese frosting, needing 225 grams of cream cheese and 113 grams of unsalted butter. If you’re after something different, why not go for salted caramel or brown butter frostings? For those who like it less sweet, a dollop of fresh whipped cream is a fantastic choice.
How your banana cake looks can make it even more inviting. Decorate with banana chips or fresh banana slices for extra flair. You can also play around with the shape of your cake. Try baking it in a traditional 9×13″ pan, a bundt pan, or as cupcakes. These tips and tweaks will not only enhance the flavour but also make your banana cake a hit at any event.