Banana Cake
This banana cake is for those of you who love bananas and those of you who love cake. Now who doesn't fall into that category?
That's right, this is a crowd-pleaser.
Slicing bananas on cereal might not be for me but roasting the bananas with butter and brown sugar is a smart way to start this banana dessert. I might do just that the next time I bake banana bread or use bananas as a topping on ice cream.
The banana flavor both deepens and sweetens with roasting. The smell of this banana cake is wonderful too.
Banana cake: Cake or Bars?
Cooking Light shares this recipe as "banana bars" but I put this treat firmly in the "cake" category for a few reasons. To me bars need to be eaten with your hands-- no utensils allowed. For the sake of scientific experiment (of course!) my son and I each ate one serving with our hands and the other with utensils. Utensils were a clear winner, even my four year old preferred eating this with a fork.
The dessert's texture has nice cake-like crumbs and any runaway crumbs can quickly be scooped up with a touch of the icing on your fork.
I suppose bars can have icing but I think this icing that falls in between a buttercream and a cream cheese icing also pushes this dessert into the cake category.
Just like a cream cheese icing on carrot cake, this icing pairs really well with the banana flavor.
It's hard to think of a time of year when bananas aren't plentiful at the grocery store which is another positive point in favor of this dessert.
This cake could be served with morning coffee, mid-afternoon tea, and after-school treat, or dinner's dessert.
Recipe from Cooking Light January 2009
Banana Cake
Banana cake with a cream cheese frosting-- what's not to love?
Ingredients
- 2 cups sliced ripe banana (about 3 medium)
- ⅓ cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
- 9 ounces cake flour (about 2 ¼ cups)
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup nonfat buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- Baking spray with flour
Frosting:
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup (3 ounces) ⅓-less-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup chopped pecans, toasted (I used walnuts)
Instructions
- Please click through to find original Cooking Light recipe
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
18Serving Size:
1 sliceAmount Per Serving: Calories: 309Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 153mgCarbohydrates: 51gFiber: 1gSugar: 32gProtein: 3g
This data is provided by Nutrionix and is an estimate only.
Here are more banana recipes that you will enjoy!
Holly Baker started the food blog, A Baker's House, in 2011. She is the writer, recipe creator, and photographer for the site. Holly loves to bake and shares recipes for gluten free food, canning recipes, as well as traditional desserts too. Her recipes and food photography have been highlighted by BuzzFeed, Reader's Digest, and She Knows.
Yum, this sounds delicious. I'd rather eat banana's in a cake rather than on there own.
Thanks, Laura, I think so too. Well pretty much any ingredient in a cake is something that I'd try and this banana cake is no different. Really tasty!
Oh my goodness, this looks SO DELICIOUS! Especially with the frosting and the pecans.................. YUM!!!!!
Thanks, Maria, the frosting was good but the smell of bananas roasting with butter and brown sugar is what I liked most about baking this cake! Thanks for reading.
I've got a recipe for banana nut bars that I used to make all of the time and for some reason it kind of fell off the radar. These look just wonderful. I can just taste them right now.
Oh banana nut bars sound good. I will have to find a similar recipe. I love having more options than the usual banana bread when I need to use ripe bananas.
Made me think. I like bananas on cereal but never just eat one out of the peel. Banana bread is not something I crave but I always enjoy it when I have some; yet I like the sound of this cake better. Maybe it's the softer crumb. Plus...what isn't better with frosting right? Sound delish; now why didn't I get a delivery of THESE? 🙂
Yes, why is it that some of us don't munch on bananas? I have tried but think it is a texture issue for me. Yet I have NO issues baking with bananas and eating this cake. You are right- I need to drop off more goodies while you still live closeby!
I am always searching for recipes to use up those ripe bananas than seem to pile up! What an appealing recipe, bursting with fresh flavor and easy to prepare.
Thanks for leaving a comment, Deb. I agree, it is great to have more than one banana recipe on hand...same with zucchini. I'll have to work on that soon too.
I love banana bars and these look so pretty and delicious. Now I need to go make some, yum!
Thanks, Ashley, I am going to make these again soon too. They disappeared quickly!
The goodness of bananas and the deliciousness of a cake! This sure is a win win!
Gorgeous photo, Holly!
Thanks, Ansh! Hope school is off to a good start for your daughter. Maybe we could fit in lunch sometime in September?
I looove banana cake. I always throw in some dark chocolate chunks.. Will try this recipe, because you can never have enough banana cake recipes!
Oh yes, chocolate chunks would be really nice with this cake. I will be sure to visit your blog--"Dying for Chocolate" is right up my alley!
Wow, your banana cake looks so delicious!! I love the combination of banana + cream cheese frosting, and the way you piped it on is so pretty! 🙂
Pinning this!
I love banana cake and want to try this one soon. And that cream cheese frosting? wow. Per usual your photos are beautiful Holly. Pinned.
These little cakes are beautiful, Holly! I can fit into the categories of people who like a plain ole banana and a delicious banana sweet treat! I'd love to try one of these little cakes. Pinned!
Thanks, Julie, i think I am going to make this cake again this week-- it is a recipe I'll turn to again and again. It's hard to go wrong with a Cooking Light recipe.
This looks so good! This may make a perfect treat at my sister's bridal shower. Thank you for sharing!
I am glad you have a happy occasion coming up to celebrate with your sister- hope it is a great day!