Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

This delicious Banana Cake recipe is a delightful treat that has been adapted to make a larger batch suitable for family events or gatherings. The moist and flavorful cake is complemented perfectly by the cream cheese icing, and you can elevate it further by topping it with chopped walnuts or toasted coconut. It’s a crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone asking for more!

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 sticks (1½ cups) unsalted butter
• 3¾ cups (719 grams) sugar
• 6 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon (13 grams) baking soda
• ¾ cup sour cream
• 3 cups mashed, ripe bananas
• 4½ cups (405 grams) cake flour, sifted
• 1 teaspoon (5 grams) salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. PREHEAT OVEN: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round baking pans, then line them with parchment paper and set them aside.
2. CREAM BUTTER AND SUGAR: In a mixing bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the sugar and butter together until smooth. Add the vanilla extract, salt, and baking soda, and mix everything thoroughly.
3. ADD EGGS: Beat the eggs into the mixture one at a time, ensuring each addition is well incorporated.
4. INCORPORATE FLOUR AND SOUR CREAM: Gradually add the sifted cake flour, alternating with the sour cream, to the mixing bowl. Mix well after each addition. Finally, fold in the mashed ripe bananas, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
5. DIVIDE THE BATTER: Divide the prepared batter evenly between the three prepared pans.
6. BAKE THE CAKE: Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 to 25 minutes. To check if the cake is done, insert a toothpick into the center of each cake; if it comes out clean and the cake springs back lightly when touched, it’s ready.
7. COOL AND FROST: Allow the cakes to cool completely before frosting them with the cream cheese icing. Once frosted, you can top the cake with chopped walnuts or toasted coconut for added flavor and texture.

TIPS:

• Make sure the butter is at room temperature for easier creaming with the sugar.
• Use ripe bananas with brown spots for a sweeter and more flavorful cake.
• Sifting the cake flour ensures a smoother texture in the cake.
• Avoid overmixing the batter after adding the flour; this can result in a dense cake.
• To prevent the cake from sticking to the pans, line them with parchment paper.
• For the cream cheese icing, you can adjust the sweetness to your preference by adding more or less powdered sugar.
• If you don’t have three 8-inch round pans, you can use two pans and adjust the baking time accordingly.

VARIATIONS:

• Banana Cake with Caramel Sauce: Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the cooled cake before frosting it with cream cheese icing. The combination of caramel and bananas is simply heavenly.
• Spiced Banana Cake: Add warm spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to the dry ingredients. Use about 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, ½ teaspoon of nutmeg, and a pinch of ground cloves. These spices will give the cake a cozy and aromatic touch.
• Banana Cake with Chocolate Chips: Fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips into the batter for a delightful burst of chocolate in every bite.
• Gluten-Free Banana Cake: Substitute the cake flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make this recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities. Ensure the baking soda and other ingredients are also gluten-free.