Sometimes childhood memories are so strong, and this recipe for the BEST Banana Cake Ever is one of those food memories that keep us coming back for more.
Moist banana cake, topped with a banana glaze, then drizzled with chocolate. Dig in!
Way back when I was in Grade 7, I had a friend and her mom made this incredible homemade banana cake. It was the BEST banana cake I had ever eaten.
I asked her for the recipe, and she very gladly gave it to me. To this day it is the ONLY banana cake recipe I use. Every time I make it my family says, “oh yeah I remember that cake“!
Ripe bananas are ALWAYS on hand. Turn them into something delicious instead of throwing them out. Banana muffins are always a hit at breakfast.
How about banana bread? Simple Banana Bread and Rocky Road Banana Bread are a couple of great places to use bananas.
INGREDIENTS FOR THE BEST BANANA CAKE
This easy recipe for banana cake uses simple everyday ingredients:
- ripe bananas
- flour
- white sugar
- brown sugar
- butter
- milk
- egg
- vanilla
- salt
- baking powder
- baking soda
Banana cake vs banana bread, YES there is a difference. This moist banana cake recipe from scratch DOES NOT use buttermilk (most recipes do). It does have an intense banana flavour.
My childhood memory is of this caked baked in a 9 x 13 glass baking dish. Do you remember those? I decided to make this a little more “fancy” and use a *springform pan instead.
The aroma of this cake baking fills the house with a sweet banana scent. I wonder if Bath & Body Works can make that into a soap scent?
WHAT TO TOP BANANA CAKE WITH
I used a simple banana glaze made with bananas and icing sugar. It has such an INTENSE banana flavour.
If you prefer more of a classic icing, some of these would be delicious for sure:
- vanilla icing
- pecan frosting
- chocolate icing
- cinnamon frosting
- cream cheese frosting
I like to place my cake on a wire rack OVER a baking sheet when I put on the glaze. Makes for easier clean up of the drips! You want the glaze to drip off the edge of the cake.
Of course, I need to incorporate chocolate into this delicious banana dessert. There is nothing easier than melting some chocolate chips to make a drizzle.
For this, I used the microwave. Then put the melted chocolate in a *small piping bag with a *round decorating tip attached. *HINT* you can also use a small plastic freezer/sandwich bag and cut a VERY SMALL hole in the corner.
Drizzle away. Make it look HOWEVER you like. I like to make lots of wavy lines. This is my play time.
I happened to have some dried banana chips in the house, so they made their way onto this cake.
The hardest part of all is WAITING for the glaze and chocolate to set before digging in. Most times it is not fully set before we finally give in and cut into this totally delicious cake.
This cake is ALWAYS a hit. Whether I make it just for the family, or as a dessert to a dinner or potluck. It is devoured down to the very last crumb.
Sometimes the simple foods in life are BEST! Even though Mrs. N. is long gone, memories of her are always with me. Hope you give this easy banana cake a try. You will see why it is our favourite.
What are some your YOUR favourite banana desserts?
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Best Banana Cake Ever
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 cups ripe bananas (mashed)
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
For the Glaze:
- 1 banana (pureed)
- 2 cups icing sugar
For the Chocolate Drizzle:
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips (melted)
Instructions
For the Cake:
- Preheat Oven to 325°F
- Prepare a springform pan (or your baking pan of choice) and set aside. This recipe works well in a 9 x 13 pan as well.
- **Mash bananas and add baking soda to banana mixture.** (Important step)
- Cream butter and sugars.
- Add egg, vanilla and milk.
- Add flour and baking powder.
- Add banana mixture to batter.
- Scrape batter into greased baking dish.
- Bake for approximately 25 - 30 minutes (until done). Check with a cake tester.
- Cool and glaze.
For the Glaze:
- Puree banana (I used a mini food processor).
- Add icing sugar a bit at a time, to reach your desired consistency of glaze.
- Place cake on a wire rack (that is on top of a baking sheet to collect the drips).
- Pour glaze over the cake, be sure to use an offset spatula and push the glaze over the edge.
- Let the glaze set.
For the Chocolate Drizzle:
- Melt the chocolate chips (I used the microwave).
- Place melted chocolate into a small piping bag with a narrow decorating tip inserted. You can also just place in a plastic bag and cut a SMALL hole in the corner.
- Drizzle chocolate over cake.
- Allow chocolate to set slightly before moving the cake to a serving platter.
- ENJOY!!
Wasan
Hello!! I baked this cake just today.I had 3 bananas but after it was mashed, it came to only 1 cup and since there wasn’t any more I added it and was thinking that it is going to be heavy like a dough instead of tasting more like a banana cake! Also just when I was about to put the batter into the oven, I realized that I have forgotten to add crushed walnuts. So again, I just added the walnuts to the batter that was already sitting in the pan, mixed it well and put it in the oven keeping my fingers crossed that it will bake well..lol
Oh my, oh my, it came out perfect!!! I did have to bake it 7 mins more on top of the 30mins.
The cake is so soft, buttery and light!!! This will be my go-to recipe for Banana cake.
My kids and I, Thank you very much for a simple but awesomely delicious banana cake recipe!!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I am SO glad it turned out for you. This is the ONLY banana cake I make. EVER!!
Linda Paluso
Please let me know what icing sugar is.
Thanks!
Linda
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Well…depending on what country you are in…it make also be called POWDERED SUGAR.
Trish Bozeman
This does look like the best banana cake ever! I just happen to have 3 very ripe bananas sitting right next to me on my counter as I type. Coincidence? I think NOT! I’m a sucker for banana and chocolate together. So this is a must make!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
You are in for a treat. Believe me, that cake will not last long…your family will devour it. ENJOY!
Tina
We always seem to have ripe bananas around the house, but you can only eat banana bread so many times before you start needing something different. I like the drizzle of the frosting, and this is fancy enough to take to my next office potluck. I’m betting everyone will be impressed.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I can eat this all day long. Hope you give this a try…it is a nice change from basic banana bread.
Jo
Seriously got to love a moist and soft banana cake, just like this one. Oh that glaze on top is so tempting me to try this cake recipe. Yummy
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Hope you give this recipe a try. You won’t be disappointed.
Linda
This cake and that chocolate drizzle make a perfect duet! No wonder it’s called the best banana cake ever.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Yes I totally agree. It is perfectly delicious.
Julie
I love a good banana cake, although saving enough bananas from the rest of my family is generally a challenge. Like banana bread but even better!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Well if I were you, I would buy extra bananas just to make this cake. Give it a try and see for yourself.
lauren
Oh how I wish I had a big slice of this and a glass of milk right now! This looks positively comforting and just the right sweet treat to end the weekend. I love that you switched it up and used a springform pan to elevate the recipe just a touch. Can’t wait to try this one.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Yes it does make the presentation much prettier for sure.
Anna
I always have some bananas reserved in my kitchen for banana bread, but after seeing this gorgeous and totally delicious banana cake, I think I’m gonna be using them for that instead! Great recipe, thank you for sharing!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
This cake NEVER lasts long in our house.
Amanda
The texture of this banana cake looks absolutely perfect! What a fantastic way to use ripe bananas (which we always seem to have in the kitchen!). I love those chocolate drizzles–chocolate and banana go together so well. Such a great switch from banana bread!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
It sure is an easy and delicious dessert that is welcomed by all.
Pearl Rodrigues
Oh Gloria .. Your recipes are always a treat. Love how you make simple recipes look so delicious and easy. This cake has the best texture and looks simple to make. Thanks for sharing !!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
You are very welcome. Sure hope you give this a try. It is super delicious.
Denise
This cake looks so moist and delicious! It is a versatile flavor as well, that all would love!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
It is a winner in our house for sure. Hope you give it a try.
Charity
Very pretty cake! It’s ama zing what a simple drizzle will do. I like that you made this cake in a Springform pan. So easy to pop out, I must admit that glass pans aren’t my favorite for cakes. They will do in a pinch but they can make cakes too brown. A good metal pan will provide a nice even heat.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Yes this is so simple and so delicious. It sure does not last long around here.
Sean
This looks AWESOME! I love banana breads and cakes, but they definitely need to hit that spot between cakey crumb and strong banana flavour. Looks like you’ve hit the nail on the head here. I’m also intrigued by this because I’ve personally always made banana bread without buttermilk, and I’m wondering how my family’s stand-by recipe will compare to this. I can imagine the impact this must have had on you when you first tried it for this to have become your one-and-only go-to – and I’m so glad you were able to get and share the recipe! Cheers.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Well I hope you give it a try and compare it to your recipe. NO buttermilk here either. The cake is moist and delicious.
Tracty
Yup. I want to put that glaze on EVERYTHING. I love love love banana cake and your recipe and that you put banana in the glaze! So smart! I can’t wait to make this for my banana loving family!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
The glaze is the BEST part…it is full of banana flavour.
Amanda
I just love how moist this banana cake is, and the chocolate drizzles adds the perfect finishing touch. I’ll be making this again and again. Thanks for sharing!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
You are welcome…so glad you enjoyed it.
Kylie | Midwest Foodie
I have a few brown bananas hanging around on the counter and I’ve been trying to find something fun to make with them. Banana cake here I come!! Thanks for a great recipe!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I know you will love it …it is delicious.
Debra
I make banana bread all the time…it’s a favorite around here. I have never made it in cake form though., With your super fun and artistic topping, I’m sure it will be a big hit. Thanks.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
If you love banana bread you will love this cake for sure.
Danielle Wolter
i usually keep a bag of frozen rip bananas in my freezer so I can make recipes like this on the fly! it sounds just delicious – so simple but so wonderful.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Sometimes simple is best. Hope you give this recipe a try.
Dana
I’m a total sucker for banana bread and banana cream pie that I’ve never even thought of making banana cake! And now I’m a total sucker for that too. And I’m with you on the fun drizzles. After spending time carefully measuring ingredients to make a perfectly moist and fluffy cake, being able to drizzle squiggles is so so liberating 😉
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Well I hope you give this delicious recipe a try, and have lots of fun drizzling.
Jenni LeBaron
I love the look and sound of this banana cake. This is like banana bread dressed up into a fancier dessert. I love that it’s stuffed with plenty of banana flavor, even the icing!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
This cake has LOTS of banana flavour…and the glaze its the best part. ENJOY!
Julie Menghini
I love tried and true family recipes. What a delicious and moist looking cake! I don’t believe I’ve ever baked one but I can’t think of a better recipe to use up ripe bananas. I love the way you drizzled the top with that yummy chocolate too!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
YES this has been in the family for a very long time. Hope you give it a try.
Marisa F. Stewart
Ooooh! I love how you finished the cake. It looks like a cake you’d serve after a delicious meal with family and friends. There must be something about a good banana cake recipe that makes us nostalgic. I remember making it as my first baking endeavor. From that moment on I loved baking. I’d always enjoyed helping in the kitchen. This recipe certainly elevates the banana to something magnificent.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Yes it is nostalgic for sure. I love when the simple classics make as much of an impact as gourmet dessert do.
Daniela
I love banana bread, but I don’t think that I’ve ever made banana cake. Your recipe has definitely inspired me to give it a try though. It looks like a really simple cake to make but packed with tons of flavor, which is just how I like them 🙂
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Well if you love banana bread, you will love this cake too. Hope you give this recipe a try and see.
Denise
That looks so pretty with the chocolate drizzle. I bet this would be good even without the icing….like a breakfast cake. However the icing just looks scrumptious too. Great post!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Yes you are correct. Without the icing is delicious. However, the icing is the best part. Either way, I hope you give this recipe a try.
Courtney
Bananas are my favorite!! They make such a great dessert – I topped with some freshly chopped strawberries as well since I had those on hand. They go together well too 😀
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Bananas are delicous in many ways. Hope you give this recipe a try.
Lois Christensen
The icing looks amazing! I love banana cake and think adding this icing takes it to a new level!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
The icing is the best part. Hope you give it a try and see for yourself.
Arlene Mobley
This reminds me of Entenmann’s Banana Cake. Do you have Entenmanns in Canada? It looks amazing and I can’t wait to try it.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
No we don’t….but thanks for the compliment. I will go and check them out on the web.
Jolina
There’s banana cake then there’s THIS banana cake. It looks amazing and so delicious! I love the banana glaze and the chocolate drizzle. Everything I love in a banana cake.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I know…and it is so easy to make too. ENOJY!