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.
Jen
I have never had banana cake so I’m excited to start with the best! Thank you so much for sharing your recipe.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
OMG I sure hope you give this super easy recipe a try. You will see why we love it so much.
Stephanie
What a great way to use up ripe bananas. I never thought to make cake but this sounds perfect.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
You have NEVER had a banana cake. You really are missing out on such a delicious dessert. Hope you give this recipe a try.
Annie
This really does look like the most amazing banana cake! I have some bananas which are looking pretty darn ripe right now, I may have to treat myself and make this gorgeous cake!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY…it will be gone in a flash. Trust me…it is so good.
Denise
This cake would be a hit with my banana loving family. I think it would be better than banana bread, a little more light than dense? I have to try this for sure.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Well it sure is a hit in this family. It has been the ONLY banana cake I have made…ALL THIS TIME.
Marie-Charlotte Chatelain
Wow! This Banana Cake is perfect and I actually have all the ingredients in my pantry – which usually never happens with baking! This looks like it should be a staple in my home!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
YES it is a keeper for sure. Hope you give it a try for yourself to see just how delicious it really is.
Helen
This cake is awesome! Both times I made it, it was a hit.
Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much for letting me know. This is the ONLY banana cake I ever make.
Marisa Franca
I have some bananas in the freezer that are calling for this recipe. I like the idea of a cake instead of a bread. The crumb looks so tender and moist! And the touch of chocolate is perfect — it goes so well with bananas. This cake would be great for a group gathering. Will be pinning to make.
Homemade & Yummy
This is the ONLY banana cake I ever make….like EVER!!
Veena Azmanov
I love a good banana cake..!! Love that the glaze has banana in it too! I;ve never adding banana in my glaze before. Can’t wait to try. Yum
Homemade & Yummy
The glaze is the best part.
Jennifer
Hello, this sounds so delicious!! I don’t have a baking dish like that, could I use a muffin baking sheet or a loaf dish?
Homemade & Yummy
Sure whatever works for you.
Leta
This looks fab! It’s very different to the banana loaf we usually make, but I’ve pinned and will be trying this version. #yum
Chef G
Our family favourite.
RandiG at FrugElegance
Looks fabulous!
A Geek Daddy
I love banana bread but have never had banana cake before. I will have to try out this recipe.
Chef G
Banana cake is so good.
Tonya C
We are fans of banana bread in our house. I’m pinning this to make for them as I’m sure they would LOVE it!
Chef G
Thanks, hope you give it a try!!
Janeane Davis
Mmmmmm this sounds like a good dessert. I have never had banana cake and would like to try it.
Chef G
I really think you would enjoy it.
Autumn @Mamachallenge
I have not had banana cake before. But this looks amazing! I need to try it!
Chef G
Banana cake is so good.