Moist Banana Cake Recipe: A Delicious Treat for Everyone
This moist banana cake recipe is perfect for beginner bakers and experienced ones alike! It's simple, delicious, and always a crowd-pleaser. This recipe focuses on achieving that perfect balance of moistness and sweetness, making it an ideal dessert for any occasion. Let's get baking!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe yields a classic 9x13 inch loaf cake. Feel free to adjust quantities for smaller or larger pans.
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For the Cake:
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed (the riper, the better the flavor!)
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (or 1/2 cup milk + 1 tsp lemon juice/vinegar)
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For the Optional Glaze (Highly Recommended!):
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-4 tablespoons milk or buttermilk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions:
This section details the process, making sure it's easy to follow even for first-timers.
1. Prepare Your Bananas and Wet Ingredients:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. Mash your bananas thoroughly in a large bowl. In a separate 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.
2. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don't overmix! Then, gently fold in the mashed bananas and buttermilk.
3. Bake to Perfection:
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
4. Cool and Glaze (The Best Part!):
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. While the cake is cooling, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, powdered sugar, milk (or buttermilk), and vanilla extract until smooth. Once the cake is completely cool, drizzle the glaze generously over the top.
Tips for Banana Cake Success:
- Use ripe bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your cake will be.
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing can lead to a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
- Let the cake cool completely before glazing: This prevents the glaze from melting and running off.
- Get creative with add-ins: Consider adding chocolate chips, nuts, or spices to your banana cake for extra flavor and texture.
Serving Suggestions:
This banana cake is delicious on its own, but it's also great served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a dollop of yogurt. Enjoy!
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