Are you ready for a slice of heaven? This isn't just any banana cake; this is Dolly Parton's Banana Cake – a recipe rumored to be a favorite in the Queen of Country's kitchen. Imagine a moist, tender cake bursting with the sweet flavor of ripe bananas, perfectly spiced, and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Sounds dreamy, right? This easy recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dessert or a special occasion gathering. It's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, delivering on deliciousness and making your kitchen smell unbelievably good! Get ready to bake up some Southern comfort food at its finest.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
- 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 ounces (115g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
Getting Started: Prepping the Oven and Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. This ensures your cake releases easily and prevents sticking. Make sure your butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature for easy mixing. Mashed bananas are key – the riper, the better!
Baking the Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This is best done with an electric mixer, but you can do it by hand if you're feeling energetic!
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Alternate Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; don't overmix.
- Fold in Bananas: Gently fold in the mashed bananas until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Bake: 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 in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Making the Magic: The Cream Cheese Frosting
- Combine Cream Cheese and Butter: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Add Sugar and Vanilla: Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
- Frost the Cake: Once the cake is completely cool, frost it generously with the cream cheese frosting.
Cooking Tips for Banana Cake Perfection
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing can lead to a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
- Use ripe bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your cake will be.
- Let the cake cool completely: This prevents the frosting from melting.
Delicious Variations
- Chocolate Chip Banana Cake: Add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the batter for a delightful twist.
- Nutty Banana Cake: Add ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for added texture and flavor.
- Spiced Banana Cake: Add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg to the batter for a warm spice flavor.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
This will vary depending on the exact ingredients and serving size. For a precise nutritional breakdown, use a nutrition calculator online with your specific ingredients. Generally, this cake is a moderate source of carbohydrates and fats.
This Dolly Parton Banana Cake recipe is more than just a dessert; it's a taste of Southern hospitality and a guaranteed way to impress your friends and family. Enjoy every delicious bite!