Are you craving a moist, flavorful cake that's surprisingly easy to make? Look no further! This banana caramel cake recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without spending hours in the kitchen. It's the ultimate comfort food, ideal for a cozy night in or a special occasion. This recipe balances the sweetness of caramel with the natural sweetness of ripe bananas, creating a truly unforgettable dessert. Let's get baking!
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
- ½ cup buttermilk
For the Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
For the Frosting (Optional):
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup caramel sauce
- ½ cup mashed ripe bananas
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Making the Cake:
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
- Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Bananas & Bake: Gently fold in the mashed bananas. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cake cool completely in the pan before frosting.
Making the Caramel Sauce:
- Sugar Syrup: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar and water. Do not stir. Cook until the sugar dissolves and turns a deep amber color. This takes patience!
- Cream & Butter: Carefully pour in the heavy cream (it will bubble up!). Whisk constantly until smooth. Stir in the butter and salt until melted and incorporated.
- Cool: Remove from heat and let the caramel cool slightly before using.
Making the Frosting (Optional):
- Cream Butter: Beat the softened butter until light and fluffy.
- Add Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until smooth.
- Caramel & Bananas: Stir in the caramel sauce, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Frost: Once the cake is completely cool, frost the top with the caramel banana frosting.
Tips for the Best Banana Caramel Cake:
- Use ripe bananas for the best flavor. The riper, the better!
- Don't overmix the cake batter. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- For a richer caramel flavor, use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar in the caramel sauce.
- Feel free to add chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or other mix-ins to the cake batter.
Variations:
- Spiced Banana Caramel Cake: Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, ½ teaspoon of nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon of cloves to the cake batter for a warm, spiced flavor.
- Chocolate Banana Caramel Cake: Add ½ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to the cake batter for a decadent chocolate twist.
- Coconut Banana Caramel Cake: Add 1 cup of shredded coconut to the cake batter for a tropical flair.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 400-450
- Fat: Approximately 20-25g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 50-60g
- Protein: Approximately 4-5g
(Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.)
This easy banana caramel cake recipe is perfect for those looking for delicious homemade cooking and quick dinner ideas, even for beginners. Enjoy this incredibly moist and flavorful cake – a true testament to the power of simple, delicious dishes. It's sure to become one of your best recipes!