Sometimes childhood memories are so strong, and this recipe for the BEST Banana Cake Ever is one food memory that keeps us returning for more.
Moist cake with lots of banana flavour, topped with a banana glaze, then drizzled with chocolate. Dig in! This recipe for the best coffee cake is right up there too.
So simple and so delicious. You have to admit, grandma has the best old-fashioned banana cake recipe. A true delight in every bite.
I had a friend and her mom made this incredible homemade banana cake. I asked her for the recipe, and she gladly gave it to me.
I have put my own spin on it, and now my grandkids say grandma makes the best banana cake hands down!
Ripe bananas are always on hand. Turn them into something delicious instead of throwing them out. There are endless banana recipes to choose from.
Banana muffins are always a hit at breakfast. How about banana bread? Simple Banana Bread and Rocky Road Banana Bread are delicious options.
Old-Fashioned Banana Cake Ingredients
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 From Scratch
This is a simple, one layer cake recipe.
- Preheat the oven to 325ºF
- Prepare your baking pan (round, square, whatever you like).
- Mash the bananas and add the baking soda and mix (*do not skip this step)
- Cream butter, sugar, add egg, vanilla milk.
- Add the flour and baking powder, then then mashed bananas.
- Scrape into pan and bake.
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 *(affiliate) springform pan instead.
Best Cake Topping
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. 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. Any kind of chocolate will work. Milk, dark or a combination of both.
For this, I used the microwave. Then put the melted chocolate in a *(affiliate) small piping bag with a *(affiliate)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 playtime.
I happened to have some dried banana chips in the house, so they made their way onto this 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 last crumb.
It makes a great celebration cake that doesn’t take a lot of time. Sometimes you really need to impress your guests, and this chocolate toffee cake is sure to please.
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Looking for more delicious recipes using bananas? Here are a few:
- Do you enjoy dessert for breakfast? With this Healthy Banana Split, you certainly can. No guilt!
- For a pudding that is chocolaty and delicious, give Banana Chocolate Roundup a try. Avocados make it so creamy.
- Skip the store-bought frozen treats, and make these Healthy Banana Popsicles instead. A sure hit on a hot summer day.
Best Ever Banana Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 ½ cups ripe bananas (mashed)
- Pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
For the Glaze:
- 1 banana (pureed)
- 2 cups icing sugar
For the Chocolate Drizzle:
- ¼ 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.
- (Imporant Step) Mash bananas and add baking soda to banana mixture
- Cream butter and sugars.
- Add egg, vanilla and milk.
- Add flour, baking powder and salt.
- 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.
Liz Mays
Not only does it sound delicious, but it looks it! I love how you frosted it too.
Chef G
Thanks so much!!
Rosey
Oh my, that does look and sound tasty good. I haven’t had banana cake in forever!
Chef G
It s a winner in this house!!
Patrick
Best banana cake every? Isn’t that a bit presumptuous?
Well, wait…I take that back. When the melted chocolate is drizzleed on in a criss cross pattern…yeah, that’s got to be good.
Chef G
Ok…it’s the BEST we have ever had…give it a try and see how you like it!!
Dawn
I don’t think I have ever had banana cake before. It looks and sounds delicious. The icing is gorgeous.
Chef G
The icing is the best part!!
Laura Funk
My kids would be all over this cake. YUM
Chef G
Yes they would cause I know mine always are!!
Maryann Peik
Looks so moist and delicious. And it’s “diet food” right? It has a fruit in it 😉
Chef G
YES…that is what I say all the time too!!
laura londergan
holy crap does this look amazing. I eat so many bananas and this would be so easy to fit into my meal plan every day! lol Kidding but I need to make this – looks FAB!!!!
Chef G
HAHA…well I hope you give it a try. It really is awesome.
Mama to 5 BLessings
I love banana’s. I have never had banana cake before, this recipe is making my mouth water!
Chef G
Banana cake is so awesome…you should give it a try.
Heather lawrence
I am going to have to pin this recipe for sure!
We just ate the last banana but now I am kicking myself.
This looks delicious!
Chef G
Well there is always next week…we have bananas all the time.
Cathy
I tend to make banana bread when we have ripened bananas, but this sounds such a fun option, too. Especially that frosting!
Chef G
The frosting is the best part!!
Ashley @Irishred02
I’ve never had banana cake before, this looks tasty!
Chef G
It is so good….hope you give it a try.
Rebecca Bryant
Okay I am drooling over this cake, I do enjoy my desserts and anything with banana and I’m in.
Chef G
This is a favourite around her for sure.
Tabitha
Does anyone happen to know the nutritional facts for this recipe?! I know, I probably don’t want to know the calories, but I’m pregnant and need to count my sugars. Thanks!
Chef G
Sorry I wish I could help you…but I’m not a nutritionist.
KatyRose
This does look seriously amazing! I honestly can’t remember ever trying a banana cake, but this one is getting added to the must-bake list! – Katy
Chef G
Yup it is a favourite in this house.
Heather lawrence
Looks like I’m not the only one on a banana kick this week!
We just whipped up a batch of coconut banana muffins for the kids to take in their lunches today.
I am going to pin this for later..what a great treat to share with the ladies at bible study.
Chef G
Love having those ripe bananas to make yummy things with.