Introduction
Ever wished you could whip up a delicious cake without spending hours in the kitchen? This Easy Banana Butter Cake is your answer! We’re transforming everyday ingredients – bananas, butter, sugar – into a moist, flavorful cake that’s perfect for any occasion. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this simple yet scrumptious recipe!
Why This Works
This recipe works because it’s incredibly easy, uses common pantry staples, and delivers big on flavor. The mashed bananas add incredible moisture and sweetness, while the butter creates a rich, tender crumb. It’s the perfect balance of simple and delicious – no fancy equipment or baking skills needed!
Key Ingredients
🍌 3 ripe bananas, mashed
🧈 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
🍯 1 cup packed light brown sugar
🥚 2 large eggs
🥛 1 cup milk
🥄 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
🌾 2 cups all-purpose flour
🥄 2 teaspoons baking soda
🥄 1 teaspoon baking powder
🧂 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. This helps prevent sticking and ensures easy removal.
2️⃣ In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. A hand mixer makes this super easy!
3️⃣ Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4️⃣ In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
5️⃣ Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined – don’t overmix!
6️⃣ Stir in the mashed bananas until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
7️⃣ Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
8️⃣ Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
9️⃣ Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Handy Tips
- Use very ripe bananas for the best flavor and moisture. The riper, the better!
- Don’t overmix the batter. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting or serving. This prevents the frosting from melting.
Heat Control
Baking at 350°F (175°C) ensures even baking and prevents burning. If your oven runs hot, you might need to reduce the baking time slightly. Keep an eye on your cake and check for doneness with a toothpick around the 30-minute mark.
Crunch Factor
This cake has a wonderfully soft and tender crumb. For a bit of added crunch, you could sprinkle chopped nuts or a crumble topping on before baking.
Pro Kitchen Tricks
- For an extra boost of banana flavor, add a teaspoon of banana extract along with the vanilla.
- Use buttermilk instead of regular milk for a richer, tangier flavor.
- Add chocolate chips or chopped nuts to the batter for a delicious twist.
Storage Tips
Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Gift Packaging Ideas
This cake is perfect for gifting! Slice it into squares and wrap them individually in cellophane, tied with a ribbon. You could also bake it in individual muffin tins for easy portioning.
Flavor Variations
🌟 Chocolate Banana Cake: Add 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to the dry ingredients.
🌟 Spiced Banana Cake: Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon of cloves to the dry ingredients.
🌟 Cream Cheese Frosting: Top with a simple cream cheese frosting for an extra decadent treat.
🌟 Coconut Banana Cake: Add 1 cup of shredded coconut to the batter.
Troubleshooting
- Cake is dry: This might be due to underripe bananas or overbaking. Next time, use riper bananas and check for doneness earlier.
- Cake is dense: You may have overmixed the batter. Try mixing until just combined next time.
- Cake sunk in the middle: This could be because the oven temperature was too low or the cake wasn’t baked long enough.
FAQ
- Can I use frozen bananas? Yes, but make sure to thaw them completely and drain off any excess liquid before using.
- Can I substitute oil for butter? Yes, you can use 1 cup of vegetable oil, but the cake might be slightly less rich.
- Can I make this cake in a different sized pan? Yes, but you may need to adjust the baking time accordingly. A smaller pan will require less baking time, and a larger pan will require more.
- What kind of frosting works well with this cake? Cream cheese frosting, chocolate frosting, or even a simple glaze are all delicious options.
Conclusion
This Easy Banana Butter Cake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! It’s quick, easy, and unbelievably delicious. Give it a try and let us know what you think – we can’t wait to hear your feedback! Don’t forget to share your photos on social media and tag us! Enjoy!
Nana's Secret Banana Butter Cake (So Easy!)
A moist and flavorful banana butter cake that will bring back memories of Grandma's kitchen.
Ingredients
- 4 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350u00b0 F (175u00b0 C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the mashed bananas and eggs to the butter mixture and mix until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and walnuts, if using.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips
- For extra moistness, use very ripe bananas with lots of brown spots.
- You can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier option.