Every home cook needs a go-to recipe for moist, delicious banana cake, and we believe this is the only one you’ll ever need. This isn’t your typical banana bread, though the two share some similarities. Banana cake, with its tender crumb and light, fluffy texture, is a whole different experience. If you’ve ever wondered how to make the perfect banana cake, look no further — this recipe will be your new favorite, guaranteed to keep you coming back.

What Makes This Banana Cake Stand Out?

This banana cake recipe shines for many reasons, but its ability to stay fresh and moist for several days is a major one. The balance of ingredients ensures the cake remains tender, not dry, and retains its moisture, especially when stored properly in an airtight container. Whether you’re making it for a casual afternoon tea or bringing it to a get-together, it’s always a hit.

In fact, we’ve been asked countless times to share this recipe after friends and family have tried it at gatherings. And one of the best things? It only takes 10 minutes to prepare! That means you can whip this up in no time and still have an impressive, flavorful dessert ready to go.

Essential Ingredients for the Best Banana Cake

• Mashed Bananas: This recipe calls for ripe or overripe bananas, which bring both sweetness and moisture to the cake. Bananas that have browned spots or are starting to get too soft for eating are perfect here. They mash easily and blend into the batter, ensuring the cake has the best texture and flavor. Avoid underripe bananas, as they won’t provide the right moisture content or sweetness.
• Caster Sugar: For a smooth, light texture, caster sugar is ideal. It dissolves more easily than granulated sugar, giving the cake a better crumb. However, if you don’t have caster sugar on hand, brown sugar is a suitable substitute. It will add a slightly deeper, caramel-like flavor to the cake, which can be a nice variation.
• Vanilla Essence: Don’t underestimate the power of vanilla in baked goods. Even in a banana cake, a little bit of vanilla adds depth and enhances the overall flavor. If you happen to have vanilla beans on hand, scraping them into the batter instead of using extract will elevate the flavor even more.
• Egg: Lightly beating the egg before adding it to the mixture helps create a lighter texture, ensuring the cake has a soft crumb. The egg also acts as a binder, holding the cake together while maintaining moisture.
• Self-Raising Flour: This flour provides the necessary leavening to give the banana cake its height and light texture. If you don’t have self-raising flour, you can easily make your own by adding 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder to every cup of plain flour.
• Butter: Melted butter gives the cake its rich, moist quality. If you prefer to make a dairy-free version, plant-based butter works just as well, ensuring the cake stays moist without compromising flavor.
• Milk: The milk adds additional moisture, but for those who are lactose intolerant or prefer dairy-free options, you can substitute it with your favorite non-dairy milk such as almond, oat, or soy milk.

For those looking to take the cake to the next level, consider adding a cream cheese frosting. You can also mix in some chocolate chips or chopped walnuts to make it more indulgent. A cinnamon cream or even a simple dusting of powdered sugar can also add extra flair.

How to Make Our Easy Banana Cake: Full Recipe Below

Ingredients (Serves 7):

• 1 cup self-raising flour
• 1 cup caster sugar
• 50g melted butter
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• ¼ cup (60ml) milk
• ½ cup mashed banana (1 large banana)

Method:

1. Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 180°C (160°C if fan-forced). Grease a loaf pan measuring 10 x 20cm (base measurement) and line it with baking paper, making sure the paper extends at least 3cm above the rim for easy removal later.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift the self-raising flour to remove any lumps. Stir in the caster sugar, ensuring it’s evenly distributed.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add the melted butter, beaten egg, vanilla essence, milk, and mashed banana. Stir the mixture gently, being careful not to overmix. You want the ingredients to be just combined for a light, fluffy cake.
4. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. Cool: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. You can serve it warm or at room temperature.

Recipe Notes

• You’ll need about one large banana for this recipe, so keep that in mind when you’re prepping your ingredients. Make sure the banana is ripe for the best flavor and texture.
• This recipe originally came from a taste.com.au member, but it’s been tested and adapted by food writer and recipe tester Alison Adams.

What’s the Difference Between Banana Cake and Banana Bread?

Though they both feature bananas as a key ingredient, banana cake and banana bread are distinct from one another. Banana cake has a light, airy texture more akin to a traditional cake, while banana bread is denser and firmer. The batter for banana cake resembles a standard cake batter with the addition of mashed bananas, whereas banana bread is closer to a quick bread, with a heavier crumb. Both are delicious in their own right, but if you’re craving something soft and fluffy, banana cake is the way to go.

Common Questions About Banana Cake

• Why Isn’t My Banana Cake Moist?
  The trick to ensuring a moist banana cake lies in balancing the wet and dry ingredients. If there’s too much flour and not enough fat or banana, the cake will turn out dry. But don’t worry—this recipe has been thoroughly tested to guarantee the right balance, so you’ll get a moist, tender cake every time.
• Can I Use Oil Instead of Butter?
  Absolutely! If you prefer, you can swap out the butter for oil. Oil will still provide the necessary moisture, and the cake will be just as delicious.
• Is This Recipe Easy to Make?
  Yes, this banana cake is incredibly simple to make. With only seven ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time, it’s a no-fuss recipe that yields fantastic results. Just mix the ingredients, bake, and enjoy!

Nutrition Information (Per Serving):

• Energy: 795 kJ (190 calories)
• Protein: 2.4g
• Total Fat: 4.8g (Saturated: 2.8g)
• Carbohydrates: 35.0g (Sugars: 22.9g)
• Sodium: 188.4mg

This banana cake recipe is one you’ll want to keep handy in your collection. It’s moist, flavorful, and so easy to make that it’s bound to become your go-to for any occasion. Whether you enjoy it plain or topped with frosting, it’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Give it a try and see why this recipe is a crowd favorite!

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