Description
Ina Garten’s classic banana cake delivers pure comfort through moist, rich layers of sweet banana goodness. Creamy frosting and delicate crumb make this dessert an irresistible treat that brings warmth to any gathering you’ll love sharing.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Sugars and Sweeteners:
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
- 2 ½ cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
Fats, Liquids, and Additional Ingredients:
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (cake)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (frosting)
- Grated zest of 1 orange
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup coarsely chopped walnuts (optional)
- 6 ounces (170 grams) cream cheese, at room temperature
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350°F (175°C). Thoroughly coat a 9-inch (23-centimeter) round cake pan with butter and flour to ensure easy cake removal.
- Create a smooth wet ingredient base by mashing ripe bananas in a large mixing bowl. Incorporate granulated sugar, light brown sugar, vegetable oil, extra-large eggs, sour cream, pure vanilla extract, and freshly grated orange zest. Whisk the ingredients until they form a uniform, silky mixture.
- Sift the dry ingredients – all-purpose flour, baking soda, and kosher salt – into a separate bowl, breaking down any potential clumps to guarantee a consistent texture.
- Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring minimally to prevent overmixing. Carefully integrate chopped walnuts into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout.
- Transfer the cake batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 45-50 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean without any raw batter.
- Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 15 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack. Let it cool completely to room temperature before frosting.
- Prepare the cream cheese frosting by beating room-temperature cream cheese, unsalted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually add sifted confectioners’ sugar, mixing until the frosting reaches a creamy, spreadable consistency.
- Once the cake has cooled entirely, generously apply the cream cheese frosting across the top surface. Slice and serve this delectable banana cake.
Notes
- Let browning bananas become your baking treasure, transforming overripe fruit into a mouthwatering masterpiece.
- Selecting bananas with deep brown spots guarantees maximum natural sweetness and intense banana flavor.
- Bringing ingredients to room temperature ensures smooth batter blending and even cake texture.
- Incorporating sour cream creates an incredibly tender crumb that stays moist and delectable.
- Sprinkling chopped walnuts adds delightful crunch and nutty complexity to each delicious slice.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg