Foolproof Banana Cake

Welcome to the ultimate recipe for an incredibly light, moist, and wonderfully flavorful Easy Banana Cake. This delightful treat isn’t just a dessert; it’s a perfect solution for those forgotten, spotty bananas on your counter, transforming them into a culinary masterpiece. Ideal for afternoon tea, a casual family gathering, or simply a sweet moment to yourself, this banana cake promises a tender crumb and a rich banana essence that will have everyone asking for more. To elevate this simple cake, we add a fantastic touch: a beautiful layer of fresh banana slices sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, which caramelizes while baking to create an irresistible, sweet crust. Get ready to turn everyday ingredients into something extraordinary!

If your kitchen counter is currently home to a bunch of perfectly ripe, spotty bananas just begging to be used, then it’s absolutely the perfect time to whip up this Easy Banana Cake! This recipe embodies the very best of home baking: straightforward, comforting, and utterly delicious, utilizing readily available classic ingredients such as rich butter, sweet brown sugar, and wholesome flour. There’s no need for fancy equipment or obscure components; just simple goodness waiting to be transformed.

The culinary magic unfolds as these humble ingredients come together to produce a banana cake that is remarkably light in texture, intensely moist, and bursting with natural banana flavor. But we don’t stop there! Before this delightful creation heads into the oven, we adorn its surface with elegantly arranged fresh banana slices. A generous sprinkle of cinnamon sugar over these slices ensures that, during baking, they caramelize into a heavenly, golden-brown topping. This not only adds an extra layer of sweetness and spice but also creates a beautiful, aromatic crust that perfectly complements the soft cake beneath. Prepare yourself for a slice of pure comfort!

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Easy Banana Cake Recipe

This isn’t just another banana cake recipe; it’s designed to be a go-to favorite for countless reasons. From its incredibly satisfying texture to its effortless preparation, here’s why this easy banana cake will quickly become a beloved staple in your baking repertoire:

• Light and Incredibly Moist Cake: Forget dry, crumbly cakes. Our Easy Banana Cake is crafted to be exceptionally tender and moist, thanks to the perfect balance of butter, brown sugar, and, of course, those wonderfully ripe bananas. Each bite melts in your mouth, leaving a delightful and lingering sweetness.
• Simple and Straightforward to Prepare: Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, you’ll appreciate the simplicity of this recipe. With clear, easy-to-follow steps and no complicated techniques, you can achieve a bakery-quality cake right in your own kitchen without any stress. It’s perfect for a relaxing afternoon baking session.
• Made with Accessible Everyday Ingredients: You won’t need to hunt down exotic components for this recipe. All the ingredients – from butter and eggs to flour and bananas – are likely already in your pantry or easily found at your local grocery store. This makes impromptu baking spontaneous and hassle-free.
• Freezes Beautifully for Future Enjoyment: Planning ahead or simply want to savor this deliciousness over time? This banana cake freezes exceptionally well! You can bake a full cake, slice it, and freeze individual portions, ensuring you always have a delightful treat ready to thaw and enjoy whenever a craving strikes.
• Features a Delicious Caramelized Banana Topping: What sets this banana cake apart is its exquisite topping. Fresh banana slices, coated with cinnamon sugar, transform in the oven into a deeply flavorful, slightly sticky, and wonderfully caramelized layer. This adds an extra dimension of taste and texture that truly elevates the cake.

Got a bunch of spotty bananas and looking for more ideas? Explore these 12 Ripe Banana Recipes to Use Up Your Bunch for inspiration beyond cake!

If you’re worried about using them all before they spoil, learn How to Freeze Bananas effectively so none go to waste.

Unpacking the Difference: Banana Cake vs. Banana Bread

Often, people wonder about the distinction between banana cake and banana bread, as both utilize ripe bananas and share comforting flavors. While they are both incredibly delicious ways to use up those perfectly spotty bananas, they possess key differences in texture, preparation, and typical serving styles. Understanding these differences can help you decide which treat best suits your craving.

Banana Cake, like the easy recipe we’re sharing, is fundamentally a butter-based cake where mashed bananas are integrated for flavor and moisture. Its structure is typically lighter and much more tender than banana bread. It often features a delicate crumb and is designed to be a dessert, sometimes frosted or adorned with toppings, much like any other cake. The baking process for a banana cake often involves creaming butter and sugar, contributing to its airy texture and rich, moist interior. It’s perfect for serving at parties, special occasions, or as a delightful treat with afternoon coffee or tea, offering a more refined and dessert-like experience.

In contrast, Banana Bread generally has a firmer, denser, and often chewier texture. It falls more into the quick bread category, traditionally made with oil (though butter versions exist) and often mixed using the Muffin Method, which involves combining wet and dry ingredients separately before briefly mixing. This method typically results in a denser product. Banana bread is frequently seen as a breakfast item, a snack, or a lighter accompaniment to coffee, often enjoyed toasted and generously slathered with butter, cream cheese, or jam. Its robust structure makes it excellent for slicing and transporting, and it holds up well to various additions like nuts or chocolate chips.

Both are fantastic for utilizing overripe bananas, which are essential for their intense sweetness and moisture. The choice between banana cake and banana bread often comes down to the desired texture and occasion – a light, tender dessert versus a dense, hearty quick bread. For those who love a delicate, moist, and utterly satisfying sweet treat, this Easy Banana Cake is definitely the way to go!

Essential Ingredients for the Perfect Easy Banana Cake

One of the beauties of this Easy Banana Cake recipe is its reliance on simple, everyday ingredients you likely already have stocked in your pantry and fridge. There’s no need for special trips to specialty stores; just wholesome, common items that combine to create something truly magical. We firmly believe that baking should be accessible and enjoyable, not a treasure hunt for obscure components. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to create this incredibly moist and flavorful banana cake, with helpful insights for each ingredient (exact measurements are provided in the comprehensive recipe card below):

• Unsalted Butter: The foundation of our moist cake. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall salt content of your recipe. Melted butter, as used here, helps create a dense yet tender crumb and contributes a rich, comforting flavor.
• Brown Sugar: This isn’t just for sweetness; brown sugar brings a wonderful depth of flavor with its molasses content, which also adds extra moisture to the cake, contributing to its signature soft texture.
• Vanilla Extract: A crucial flavor enhancer. A good quality vanilla extract brightens all the other flavors in the cake, complementing the banana and cinnamon beautifully.
• Egg: Acts as a binding agent, helping to hold the cake’s structure together and contributing to its richness and moisture. Ensure your egg is at room temperature for better incorporation into the batter.
• Ripe Bananas: The star of the show! For the best flavor and moisture, your bananas should be very ripe – think brown spots, even almost black. This indicates maximum sugar content and a softer texture, making them easy to mash and ensuring a sweet, banana-rich cake. You’ll need about 2 large or 3 smaller ones for the batter.
• Self-Raising Flour: This convenient flour already contains baking powder and a bit of salt, making the leavening process simple. It ensures your cake rises beautifully and achieves that light texture. (See tips below for a simple substitute if you only have all-purpose flour).
• Milk: Any type of milk you have on hand will work perfectly – whole, skim, or even non-dairy options. It adds essential moisture to the batter, helping to achieve that desired tender crumb.
• Cinnamon: A warm, aromatic spice that pairs exquisitely with banana. It adds a subtle depth and coziness to the cake’s flavor profile without overpowering the natural sweetness of the bananas.
• 1 extra Banana, sliced (for topping): This is for the stunning caramelized topping. Choose a banana that is ripe but still firm enough to hold its shape when sliced, offering a beautiful presentation.
• Cinnamon Sugar: This magical topping is easily made by combining granulated sugar with ground cinnamon. You can prepare your own by mixing 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar with 1 ½ teaspoons of cinnamon. While you only need 1 tablespoon for this specific recipe, the homemade mix can be stored in an airtight jar and used for countless other treats – think pancakes, toast, fruit crumbles, or muffins before baking! It creates that delightful caramelized crunch on top of your cake.

Easy Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Perfect Banana Cake

Creating this delicious banana cake is a straightforward process, designed for ease and enjoyment. Follow these simple steps to bake a wonderfully moist and flavorful cake every time. For best results, it’s always helpful to read through all the instructions before you begin!

1. Prepare Your Oven and Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 160°C / 320°F (conventional oven setting). While the oven heats up, generously grease and lightly flour a round cake pan (typically 20-22cm / 8-9 inches). Ensuring your pan is well-prepared prevents sticking and allows your cake to release easily after baking.
2. Melt Butter and Sugar: In a small saucepan, combine the unsalted butter and brown sugar. Place the saucepan over low heat and stir regularly until the butter is completely melted and the sugar has dissolved into a smooth, syrupy mixture. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Set this mixture aside to cool slightly while you prepare the wet ingredients. It shouldn’t be piping hot when added to the egg.
3. Combine Bananas, Egg, and Butter Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly mash your ripe bananas until they are mostly smooth with a few small lumps for texture (photo 1). Whisk in the egg until well combined with the mashed banana. Next, pour in the slightly cooled melted butter and sugar mixture, mixing thoroughly until everything is well incorporated (photo 2). This creates a rich and fragrant wet base for your cake.
4. Gently Fold in Dry Ingredients: Add the self-raising flour and milk to the large mixing bowl with the wet ingredients. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, gently fold the mixture until just combined. The key here is to avoid overmixing! Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to a tough and dense cake. A few streaks of flour are perfectly fine; the goal is to combine just until no dry spots remain (photos 3 & 4).
5. Assemble and Top the Cake: Carefully pour the cake batter into your prepared greased cake pan, spreading it evenly. Now for the signature topping! Arrange the sliced extra banana on top of the batter in a decorative pattern – a circular or fan design works beautifully. Finally, generously sprinkle the homemade cinnamon sugar over the banana slices. This creates the delightful caramelized crust during baking (photo 5).
6. Bake to Golden Perfection and Cool: Place the cake pan in your preheated oven and bake for approximately 40 minutes. The cake is ready when it turns golden brown on top, and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean (photo 6). Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the baking pan for about 10 minutes. This resting period helps the cake to firm up slightly. After 10 minutes, carefully transfer the cake from the pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling on a rack ensures air circulation all around the cake, preventing condensation and sogginess.

How Long Will Your Delicious Banana Cake Stay Fresh?

One of the many appealing aspects of this Easy Banana Cake is its excellent keeping quality, allowing you to enjoy its delightful flavors for several days. Proper storage is key to maintaining its freshness and moist texture. Once the cake has completely cooled, transfer it to an airtight container. At room temperature, in a cool, dry place, your banana cake will remain wonderfully fresh for 1 to 2 days, depending on the ambient temperature and humidity in your kitchen. If you live in a warmer climate or prefer to extend its shelf life, storing it in the refrigerator is an excellent option. When refrigerated in an airtight container, the cake will stay fresh and moist for up to 5 days. Just remember to bring refrigerated slices to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving, as this allows the flavors and texture to fully develop.

Can This Amazing Banana Cake Be Frozen? Absolutely!

Yes, absolutely! This Easy Banana Cake is not only delicious fresh but also freezes exceptionally well, making it perfect for meal prep, portion control, or simply ensuring you always have a comforting treat on hand. Freezing is a fantastic way to preserve its moist texture and rich flavor for a longer period.

To freeze the banana cake effectively, first ensure it has completely cooled down to room temperature. Then, individually wrap each slice (or the entire cake, if you prefer) tightly in plastic cling film. This creates a barrier against freezer burn and helps maintain moisture. After wrapping, place the cling-filmed slices or cake into an airtight freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty ziplock bag. This double layer of protection is crucial for long-term storage. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy a slice, simply remove it from the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature for a few hours, or gently warm it in the microwave for a quicker treat. It will taste almost as fresh as the day you baked it!

Top Tips for Baking the Best Easy Banana Cake

Achieving a truly outstanding banana cake is simple with a few insider tricks and tips. These pointers will help you ensure your cake is consistently moist, flavorful, and perfectly textured every single time. Elevate your baking game with these expert recommendations:

• Self-Raising Flour Substitute: Don’t have self-raising flour on hand? No problem! You can easily make your own. For this recipe, simply substitute the 1½ cups of self-raising flour with 1½ cups of all-purpose (plain) flour combined with 3 teaspoons of baking powder. Whisk them together thoroughly before adding to the wet ingredients to ensure even distribution of the leavening agent.
• Embrace Overripe Bananas: The secret to the most flavorful and moist banana cake lies entirely in the ripeness of your bananas. Don’t be shy about using very ripe ones – the darker, spottier, and even uglier they look, the better! As bananas ripen, their starches convert to sugars, resulting in a sweeter, more intensely flavored fruit that is also softer and easier to mash, releasing more moisture into your cake. For the batter, aim for 2 large or 3 smaller (lady finger size) bananas, and reserve one extra firm-ripe banana for the decorative topping.
• Homemade Cinnamon Sugar for Extra Flavor: While store-bought cinnamon sugar works, making your own is incredibly easy and often yields a fresher, more potent flavor. Simply mix 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar with 1½ teaspoons of ground cinnamon. You’ll only need 1 tablespoon for this banana cake recipe’s topping, but the rest can be stored in an airtight jar for future use. This versatile mixture is fantastic sprinkled over hot buttered toast, pancakes, waffles, fruit crumbles, or even muffins before baking – a little jar of pure comfort!
• The Golden Rule: Do Not Overmix! This is perhaps the most crucial tip for a tender, light cake. Once you add the flour and milk to the wet ingredients, mix only until the dry ingredients are just incorporated and no streaks of flour remain. Overmixing the batter will overdevelop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a dense, tough, and chewy cake rather than the desired light and airy texture. Use a spatula and fold gently until everything is combined.
• Topping is Optional (But Highly Recommended!): While the caramelized banana and cinnamon sugar topping adds an incredible layer of flavor and a beautiful presentation, don’t let the lack of an extra banana stop you from baking this cake. It will still be absolutely delicious without the topping. You could also sprinkle with chopped nuts or a simple extra dusting of cinnamon sugar if you prefer.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: For the best emulsion and a smooth, evenly mixed batter, try to ensure your egg and milk are at room temperature. This helps them combine more smoothly with the melted butter and sugar, resulting in a more uniform cake texture.
• Accurate Measuring: Baking is a science, and precise measurements are important. Use proper measuring cups for dry ingredients (leveling off with a straight edge) and liquid measuring cups for wet ingredients. For butter and sugar, a kitchen scale offers the most accuracy, especially for quantities like 125g butter.

More Delicious Dessert Recipes to Tempt Your Sweet Tooth

If you’ve enjoyed baking this Easy Banana Cake, you’re in for a treat with our other delectable dessert recipes. From hearty breakfasts to indulgent after-dinner delights, our collection has something for every sweet craving. Expand your baking horizons and discover your next favorite treat:

• Protein Pancakes – A healthy and delicious start to your day.
• Easy Apple Cake – Another simple, comforting fruit cake.
• Honey Joys (Honey Crackles) – A classic, crunchy, no-bake treat.
• Flourless Orange and Almond Cakes – Elegant and naturally gluten-free.
• Buttermilk Banana Bread – A rich and moist variation on a classic.
• BEST Ever Chocolate Slice – Indulgent layers of chocolate and caramel.
• Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting – A timeless favorite.
• Snickers Nice Cream – A healthy, frosty, and fun dessert.
• Mini Apple Crisps – Perfect single-serving fruit crumbles.
• Air Fryer Brownies – Quick and easy brownies with a perfect crisp edge.
• Lemon Brownies – A zesty twist on a beloved classic.
• OR see all our Dessert Recipes for even more sweet inspiration!

If you’ve tried this delightful Easy Banana Cake, we would absolutely love to hear about your experience! Please take a moment to pop a comment and a star rating below to share your thoughts and let us know how much you enjoyed it. Your feedback helps us and other home bakers!

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📋 RECIPE

Easy Banana Cake with Caramelized Topping

Yield:
8 servings

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
40 minutes

Total Time:
50 minutes

This easy banana cake is exceptionally light, wonderfully moist, and bursting with rich banana flavor. Perfect for using up overripe bananas, it’s topped with caramelized banana slices and cinnamon sugar for an irresistible finish, making it an ideal treat for afternoon tea or any occasion.

Ingredients

• 125 g / 4.4 oz Unsalted Butter
• ½ cup Brown Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 2 Large Ripe Bananas (for batter, see note 1)
• 1 egg
• 1.5 cups Self Raising Flour (see note 2)
• ¼ cup Milk
• 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (for batter)
• 1 extra Banana, sliced (for topping)
• 1 tablespoon Cinnamon Sugar (for topping, see note 3)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 160C / 320F (conventional). Grease and lightly flour a round cake pan (20-22cm / 8-9 inches).
2. In a small saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar over low heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract, and set aside to cool slightly.
3. In a large mixing bowl, mash the 2 ripe bananas until mostly smooth. Whisk in the egg until well combined. Pour in the slightly cooled butter-sugar mixture and mix thoroughly until incorporated.
4. Add the self-raising flour and milk to the bowl. Gently fold with a spatula until just combined, being careful not to overmix. A few streaks of flour are acceptable.
5. Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan. Arrange slices of the extra banana on top in a decorative pattern. Sprinkle generously with the cinnamon sugar.
6. Bake for 40 minutes, or until golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in the baking pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

1. Bananas: For the best flavor and moisture in the cake batter, use 2 large or 3 small, very ripe bananas – the darker and spottier, the sweeter! Ensure your extra banana for the topping is ripe but firm enough to slice neatly.

2. Flour Substitute: If you don’t have self-raising flour, you can easily make your own. Combine 1½ cups of all-purpose (plain) flour with 3 teaspoons of baking powder and whisk well before adding to the batter.

3. Cinnamon Sugar: To make your own, mix 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar with 1½ teaspoons of ground cinnamon. You’ll only need 1 tablespoon for the cake topping, but the rest can be stored in an airtight jar and used for other delights like pancakes, toast, or muffins.

4. Mixing: The most crucial tip! Be very careful not to overmix the batter once the flour is added. Overmixing can develop the gluten, leading to a dense and tough cake. Fold gently until just combined.

5. Topping: The banana slice and cinnamon sugar topping is highly recommended for its caramelization and flavor, but the cake will still be delicious if made without it, should you be short on extra bananas.

6. Storing: Store the cooled banana cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It also freezes exceptionally well; wrap individual slices in cling film and place in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 293Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 289mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 2gSugar: 18gProtein: 3g