Classic Homemade Banana Cake Recipe
Get ready to treat your senses with Classic Homemade Banana Cake, a delightful dessert that’s both nostalgic and comforting every time you bake it. This cake is incredibly moist, perfectly sweet, and humming with the irresistible aroma of ripe bananas and a hint of vanilla. Whether you’re hosting a family gathering, need a sweet snack for your afternoon coffee, or simply want to surprise someone special, this crowd-pleaser never lets you down. It’s a recipe you’ll want to come back to, again and again!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these kitchen staples is all part of the fun! Every ingredient in this list serves a delicious purpose—some add moisture and richness, others offer structure, flavor, or a subtle crunch. That’s what makes this Classic Homemade Banana Cake so special: simple ingredients working delicious magic together.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the sturdy base for the cake, giving it just the right crumb.
- Baking powder: Helps the cake rise tall and fluffy in the oven.
- Baking soda: Teams up with the bananas to ensure a lovely, even lift and golden color.
- Salt: Balances and enhances all the sweet, rich flavors.
- Ground cinnamon (optional): Adds a cozy warmth that pairs beautifully with banana.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Infuses the cake with buttery richness and a delicate crumb.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake soft and moist, even days after baking.
- Granulated sugar: Delivers classic sweetness and structure.
- Light brown sugar, packed: Provides a hint of caramel flavor and extra moistness.
- Large eggs, room temperature: Bind everything together and help keep the cake wonderfully tender.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors with a lovely, floral note.
- Mashed ripe bananas (about 2–3 bananas): The heart of the recipe—choose deeply speckled bananas for the best flavor and texture.
- Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt: Adds richness and a subtle tang that makes every bite irresistible.
- Milk: Loosens the batter just enough for a melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
- Cream cheese frosting (optional): For an extra indulgent finish—tangy, creamy, and the ultimate banana cake companion.
How to Make Classic Homemade Banana Cake
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Preheat
Before diving into the mixing, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan, or two 9-inch round cake pans if you’re going for layers. This small step makes releasing your Classic Homemade Banana Cake a breeze and guarantees lovely, golden edges.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if you’re using). Mixing these dry ingredients first ensures every bite of your cake is evenly tender and flavorful, with just the right hint of spice.
Step 3: Cream the Butter, Oil, and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar together until the mixture looks pale and fluffy. This step gives your sponge its signature lightness and rich, caramel notes—don’t rush it!
Step 4: Add the Eggs and Flavors
Crack in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Work in the vanilla extract and fold in the mashed bananas. Your kitchen will start to smell like a cozy bakery at this point—and it only gets better from here.
Step 5: Stir in Sour Cream and Milk
Gently blend in the sour cream (or Greek yogurt) and milk. This duo teams up to deliver the plush, moist crumb Classic Homemade Banana Cake is known for.
Step 6: Bring it All Together
Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture, mixing just until all the flour is incorporated. Overmixing can toughen the cake, so mix by hand or on low speed and stop as soon as you see the last streaks vanish.
Step 7: Fill Your Pan and Bake
Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan(s) and smooth the surface. Slide them into the oven and bake for 35–40 minutes (or 28–32 minutes if using round pans). You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick comes out clean or with a moist crumb.
Step 8: Cool and Frost
Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. If using the cream cheese frosting, wait until the cake is cool before spreading a generous layer over the top—or between layers, if you’re making a double-decker treat.
How to Serve Classic Homemade Banana Cake
Garnishes
A simple flourish goes a long way with Classic Homemade Banana Cake! I love an extra dusting of cinnamon, a handful of toasted walnuts, or even a few banana slices artfully arranged on top. Edible flowers or chocolate curls add a charming, festive touch for special occasions too.
Side Dishes
Pair your cake with a hot cup of coffee or a chilled glass of milk for pure comfort. If you’re hosting brunch, try serving with fresh berries, a dollop of whipped cream, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream to make the dessert extra special.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice Classic Homemade Banana Cake into neat squares for quick snacks, or stack round layers for a celebration-worthy centerpiece. You can bake it in cupcake tins for easy party treats, or add mini chocolate chips or diced nuts to the batter for a little surprise in every bite!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Classic Homemade Banana Cake tasting fresh by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or storing it in an airtight container. It holds beautifully at room temperature for up to two days, or in the fridge for nearly a week—though it rarely lasts that long!
Freezing
Yes, you can freeze this cake! Wrap individual slices or whole layers in plastic wrap, then foil. Tuck them into a freezer-safe bag or container, and the cake will stay delicious for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge when you’re ready to enjoy.
Reheating
To revive that just-baked warmth, pop a slice in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or in a low oven (300°F) for a few minutes. The cream cheese frosting might get a little soft, but the flavor becomes absolutely heavenly.
FAQs
Can I make Classic Homemade Banana Cake without the cream cheese frosting?
Absolutely! This cake is moist and flavorful enough to stand on its own. If you prefer, dust the top with a little powdered sugar or serve with whipped cream instead.
How ripe should the bananas be for this recipe?
The riper, the better! Deeply speckled or even blackened bananas are perfect—they’re sweeter and create a more pronounced banana flavor in Classic Homemade Banana Cake.
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips?
Yes, you can fold in about 1 cup of chopped walnuts or mini chocolate chips before baking. Either will add delicious texture and a hint of crunch or chocolate to every bite.
Can this recipe be made gluten-free?
You can substitute a cup-for-cup gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour, though textures may vary a bit. Be sure to check that your baking powder and other ingredients are gluten-free too!
What’s the best way to mash bananas for Classic Homemade Banana Cake?
Use a fork or potato masher to mash bananas until mostly smooth, leaving a few small lumps for extra moisture and banana flavor throughout the cake.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for an easy dessert that delivers big-time comfort and flavor, you truly can’t go wrong with Classic Homemade Banana Cake. It’s joyfully simple to make, endlessly adaptable, and always puts smiles on faces. Go ahead—bake up a batch and watch it become your go-to recipe whenever those bananas on your counter start to spot!
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Classic Homemade Banana Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the comforting flavors of a classic homemade banana cake. Moist and rich, this cake is a perfect treat for any occasion, whether enjoyed on its own or with a dollop of cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2–3 bananas)
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup milk
Optional:
- 1 recipe cream cheese frosting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Prepare dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the butter, oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract and mashed bananas. Stir in sour cream and milk.
- Combine and bake: Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined. Pour batter into prepared pan(s) and bake for 35–40 minutes (or 28–32 minutes for round pans) until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and frost: Let the cake cool completely before frosting with cream cheese frosting, if desired.
Notes
- For a layered cake, double the frosting recipe.
- You can add chopped walnuts or mini chocolate chips for added texture.
- The cake can be made a day ahead and stored covered at room temperature or refrigerated.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
