Moist Banana Cake (Printable)
Moist tender banana cake with rich banana flavor, perfect for dessert or afternoon tea.
# What You'll Need:
→ Wet Ingredients
01 - 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
02 - ½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
03 - ½ cup granulated sugar
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
→ Dry Ingredients
06 - 1½ cups all-purpose flour
07 - 1 tsp baking soda
08 - ½ tsp baking powder
09 - ¼ tsp salt
10 - ½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
→ Optional Add-ins
11 - ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
12 - ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9-inch round or square cake pan, then line the bottom with parchment paper for easy release.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, beat the mashed bananas, vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon until evenly distributed.
04 - Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients using a spatula, mixing until just combined. Stop as soon as no dry streaks remain to keep the cake tender.
05 - Gently stir in chopped walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips if desired, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
06 - Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and use a spatula to smooth the surface, ensuring an even layer.
07 - Bake on the center rack for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean and the top springs back when lightly pressed.
08 - Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully invert onto a wire rack to cool completely before serving or frosting.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- This cake stays moist for days, almost improving overnight, which makes it the sneakiest make ahead dessert I know.
- You probably have every single ingredient in your kitchen right now, no grocery run required.
02 -
- Overmixing the batter once the flour goes in will give you a dense rubbery crumb instead of the tender cake you want.
- Opening the oven door before the 30 minute mark almost guarantees a sunken center.
03 -
- Freeze your overripe bananas whole in their peels, then thaw them when you are ready to bake for the easiest mash of your life.
- Dusting the chocolate chips or nuts with a spoonful of flour before folding them in keeps them from sinking to the bottom.