Easy Banana Cake

AUTHORCassie
POSTEDJuly 23, 2019
4.8 Stars (0 Reviews)
JUMP TO RECIPE

This easy banana cake is light, moist and full of flavour.  It's perfect for sharing for afternoon tea and is a great way to use up overripe bananas.  Top your cake with banana slices and cinnamon sugar before baking for a delicious caramelised banana topping. 

banana cake on a wooden board with a small bowl of honey.

If you've got some spotty bananas sitting on the counter it's time to make Easy Banana Cake!  This cake is simple baking at it's best, using classic everyday ingredients - butter, brown sugar and flour.

The result is a light and moist banana cake that is filled with flavour.  Top your cake with banana slices and some cinnamon sugar before baking to create a delicious caramelised banana topper.

Why you'll love this recipe...

  • Light and moist cake
  • Simple to prepare
  • Made with easy everyday ingredients
  • Freezes well - save some for later! 

Got a bunch of spotty bananas?  Try these 12 Ripe Banana Recipes to Use Up Your Bunch.

Or if you're worried you won't have time to use them up follow this guide on How to Freeze Bananas.

a slice of banana cake on a white plate with the rest of the cake on a wooden board behind.

What is the difference between Banana Cake and Banana Bread?

Banana cake is essentially butter cake with mashed banana added in for flavour.  It's typically lighter and more moist than banana bread.

Banana bread is firmer and more dense, and is perfect for toasting and slathering with butter.  Both are delicious and perfect ways to use up spotty bananas.

INGREDIENTS

I think there's nothing worse than going to bake something that requires a bunch of strange ingredients.  This Banana Cake is made from all everyday ingredients that you probably already have on hand!  Here's what you'll need (full measurements listed in the recipe card below)....

  • Unsalted Butter
  • Brown Sugar
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Egg
  • Ripe Bananas
  • Self Raising Flour
  • Milk - use any milk you have on hand.
  • Cinnamon 
  • Cinnamon Sugar - I make this myself by mixing 3 tbsps granulated sugar with 1 & ½ teaspoons of cinnamon.

INSTRUCTIONS

Step by step photo instructions on how to make easy banana cake.

Preheat the oven to 160C /320F and grease a round cake pan.

Melt butter and sugar in a small saucepan on low heat, stirring regularly.  Remove from heat and add vanilla extract.  Set aside.

Mash bananas in a large mixing bowl, then add the egg and mix well (photo 1).  Add the melted butter and mix well (photo 2).

Add flour and milk to the mixing bowl and fold to combine, being careful not to overmix (photos 3 & 4).

Pour cake mixture into the greased cake pan.  Arrange banana slices is a decorative pattern on top and sprinkle over cinnamon sugar (photo 5).

Bake for 40 minutes or until golden and a skewer comes out clean (photo 6).  Allow to cool in the baking pan for 10 minutes, then move to a wire rack to completely cool.

banana cake on a wire rack.

How long will banana cake keep?

Banana cake will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days depending on how hot your kitchen is, or in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Can banana cake be frozen?

Absolutely - this banana cake freezes really well.  Just individually wrap slices in cling film, then place in an airtight container or in a ziplock bag in the freezer for up to 2 months.

a slice of banana cake on a white plate with the rest of the cake on a wooden board behind.

TOP TIPS

  • If you don't have self raising flour on hand simply use 1 & ½ cup of all purpose flour and 3 teaspoons of baking powder.
  • Use 2 large bananas or 3 small (lady finger size) for mixing into the cake, and one extra banana for the topping. Make sure your bananas are ripe - the darker, spottier and uglier, the better.
  • Make your own cinnamon sugar by mixing 3 tbsps granulated sugar with 1 & ½ teaspoons of cinnamon.  You only need 1 tablespoon for this recipe but you can store the rest in an airtight jar.  Sprinkle over pancakes, hot buttered toast, fruit crumbles, muffins before baking - there's so many ways to use it!
  • Be careful not to overmix your batter once you've added the flour in.  Overmixing causes your cake to be dense.  Fold the flour in until just combined.
  • Feel free to make without the banana slice topping if you don't have any more bananas on hand.
a slice of banana cake on a white plate with the rest of the cake on a wooden board behind.

MORE DELICIOUS DESSERTS

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RECIPE

Easy Banana Cake

Easy Banana Cake

Prep Time

5 minutes

Cook Time

40 minutes

Total Time

45 minutes

This easy banana cake is light, moist and full of flavour.  It’s perfect for sharing for afternoon tea and is a great way to use up overripe bananas. 

4.8 Stars (0 Reviews)

servings

8

Scale

Ingredients

Instructions

1

Preheat the oven to 160C / 320F and grease a round cake pan.  

2

Melt butter and sugar in a small saucepan on low heat, stirring regularly.  Remove from heat and add vanilla extract.  Set aside. 

3

Mash bananas in a large mixing bowl, then add the egg and mix well.  Add the melted butter and mix well. 

4

Add flour and milk to the mixing bowl and fold to combine, being careful not to overmix.  

5

Pour cake mixture into the greased cake pan.  Arrange banana slices is a decorative pattern on top and sprinkle over cinnamon sugar.

6

Bake for 40 minutes or until golden and a skewer comes out clean.  Allow to cool in the baking pan for 10 minutes, then move to a wire rack to completely cool.  

Notes

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Nutrition Facts

Servings:8
Serving Size:1

Amount Per Serving:

Calories

293kcal

Carbohydrates

42g

Protein

3g

Fat

13g

Saturated Fat

8g

Polyunsaturated Fat

4g

Cholesterol

34mg

Sodium

289mg

Fiber

2g

Sugar

18g