Description
A moist and flavorful banana cake made with browned butter and mashed bananas, topped with smooth and creamy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for dessert or a special treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups mashed bananas (about 3 bananas)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- fresh banana slices for topping, if desired
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9×13 inch metal baking pan with pan spray or spray with flour for best results.
- Bake Browned Butter: Melt ½ cup unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat for 5-8 minutes until browned and fragrant, then remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the browned butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, and ½ cup packed brown sugar with an electric or stand mixer until combined. Add 2 large eggs, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 1 cup sour cream, and 1 ½ cups mashed bananas. Scrape down bowl sides to mix thoroughly.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt to the wet mixture, and mix until just combined. Pour batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake Cake: Bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat ½ cup room temperature unsalted butter and 4 ounces softened cream cheese until smooth. Add 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste, 2 tablespoons milk, 2 ½ cups powdered sugar, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Mix until combined and smooth.
- Frost Cake: Spread the cream cheese frosting over the cooled cake evenly. Optionally, top with fresh banana slices before serving.
Notes
- To brown butter, watch carefully to avoid burning; it should be golden brown and smell nutty.
- If fresh bananas are not ripe, the cake flavor and sweetness may be less intense.
- Make sure the cake is fully cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- You can substitute vanilla bean paste with good quality vanilla extract if unavailable.
- For a dairy-free version, use vegan butter and cream cheese substitutes.
