Banana Cake With Brown Butter Frosting is a soft, flavorful dessert made from ripe mashed bananas and topped with a rich, deeply flavored frosting made by browning butter until golden.
Creating Banana Cake With Brown Butter Frosting and discovering new things is my real job. The specialty of this cake lies in its moist texture and the nutty sweetness of the frosting.
Some bakers mix in walnuts or chocolate chips for a twist. This Banana Cake With Brown Butter Frosting likely evolved from classic banana bread, gaining popularity as a more indulgent version.
I will now show up and show step-by-step about this Banana Cake With Brown Butter Frosting.
What Makes This Banana Cake With Brown Butter Frosting Special?
What makes this Banana Cake with Brown Butter Frosting special is how each element brings something extra to the table.
The flavor profile blends the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with the rich, toasty depth of brown butter, creating a taste that feels layered and indulgent.
The texture stands out too light, moist, and tender, with just enough structure to hold up under a thick, creamy frosting. Unlike banana bread, it’s not heavy or dense.
The real standout is the brown butter, made by gently cooking butter until the milk solids brown, giving the frosting a nutty, almost caramel-like intensity.
How To Prepare Banana Cake With Brown Butter Frosting?
Recipe Overview
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Yield: 10 servings
Kitchen Utensils Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Saucepan (for browning butter)
- Wire cooling rack
- Whisk
Ingredients
For the Banana Cake:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1½ cups buttermilk, at room temperature
- 1½ cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 medium or 3 large)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Brown Butter Frosting:
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1–2 teaspoons vanilla extract (to taste)
- 2–4 tablespoons heavy cream (adjust for desired consistency)

Instructions
1. Get your oven ready.
Preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan, grease it well, and either dust it lightly with flour or line it with parchment paper.
2. Make the base.
In a big mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat it all until the mixture is light and fluffy this should take about 2 to 3 minutes with a hand or stand mixer. Crack in the eggs one at a time. Beat well after each one so they’re fully mixed in.
3. Add the ingredients..
Mix in the mashed bananas, buttermilk, and vanilla extract. It might look a little lumpy or curdled don’t worry, that’s totally fine. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
4. Bring it all together.
Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir just until everything is combined don’t overmix, or the cake could turn out dense.
5. Bake it.
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth out the top. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean.
6. Cool it down.
Let the cake cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then, move it to a wire rack and let it cool completely before frosting.
7. Brown the butter.
In a small saucepan, melt ¼ cup of butter over medium heat. Keep cooking it, swirling occasionally, until it turns a golden brown color and smells nutty. Watch it closely it can burn fast. Once browned, take it off the heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
8. Make the frosting.
In a mixing bowl, combine the browned butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream. Beat until smooth. Add a little more cream if you want a softer, spreadable texture.
9. Frost the cake.
Once the cake is fully cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Let it sit for a few minutes to set before slicing.
Notes
This Banana Cake With Brown Butter Frosting is soft, moist, and perfectly sweetened with ripe bananas and rich brown sugar. The brown butter frosting adds a deep, nutty flavor that complements the cake beautifully.
For a bit of texture, you can fold in chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter before baking. This Banana Cake With Brown Butter Frosting works well as a sheet cake or layered celebration cake.
Nutritional Amount (per serving)
| Nutrition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 345 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 48g |
| Protein | 3g |
| Fat | 15g |
| Cholesterol | 45mg |
| Sodium | 180mg |
| Sugar | 32g |
Why My Recipe Works
This Banana Cake With Brown Butter Frosting works because every ingredient plays a specific role in building flavor, texture, and moisture. Ripe bananas add natural sweetness and keep the cake soft.
Buttermilk creates a tender crumb while reacting with baking soda for a perfect rise. The mix of white and brown sugar brings depth and helps the cake stay moist.
Softened butter adds richness without making the cake greasy. Then, the brown butter frosting seals the deal its nutty, caramel-like taste enhances the banana flavor beautifully.
Each step is tested to create a Banana Cake With Brown Butter Frosting that’s moist, flavorful, and consistently delicious every time.
Serving Suggestions
1. Warm with Ice Cream: Serve slightly warmed slices of banana cake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or caramel swirl ice cream. The contrast between warm cake and cold ice cream is incredibly satisfying.
2. Add a Drizzle: Drizzle a bit of salted caramel sauce or maple syrup over the frosted cake for an extra indulgent touch.
3. Top with Fresh Fruit: Add fresh banana slices, strawberries, or berries on top before serving. This adds color, freshness, and a little tartness to balance the sweetness.
4. With Coffee or Tea: Perfect as an afternoon treat, pair a slice with freshly brewed coffee, chai tea, or black tea with a splash of milk.
5. Serve in Layers: If baked in round pans, slice and layer the cake with frosting between each layer. Garnish with toasted chopped pecans or walnuts on top for a rustic finish.
Tips And Variations
Tips
➤ Make sure your bananas are ripe for the best flavor. Overripe bananas, with brown spots, will give the cake a richer taste.
➤ You can make this recipe ahead of time and store the cake in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
➤ If you want to make a lighter version, you can substitute half of the butter with applesauce or Greek yogurt in the banana cake recipe.
Variations
➤ Vegan Version: Replace the butter with vegan butter and use plant-based milk (like almond or soy milk). For eggs, use flax eggs or applesauce.
➤ Nutty Addition: Stir chopped walnuts or pecans into the cake batter for added texture and flavor.
➤ Spiced Banana Cake: Add ground nutmeg or allspice to the dry ingredients to introduce more complexity to the flavor.
Health Benefits
While this banana cake with brown butter frosting is definitely an indulgence, there are a few health benefits to the ingredients:
✔ Bananas: Rich in potassium, vitamin C, and dietary fiber, bananas are a great way to boost heart health and digestion.
✔ Brown Butter: Although higher in fat, brown butter contains antioxidants and adds a rich, nutty flavor that enhances the cake’s overall flavor profile.
✔ Whole Wheat Flour: You can easily swap in whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour to increase the fiber content of the cake.
How To Store Leftovers
To keep leftover Banana Cake With Brown Butter Frosting fresh, I recommend storing it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days—especially if your kitchen isn’t too warm.
For longer storage, refrigerate it (covered well) for up to 5 days. The frosting firms up in the fridge, so let the cake sit out for 20 minutes before serving.
You can also freeze individual slices, wrapped tightly, for up to 2 months. Banana Cake With Brown Butter Frosting a great treat to defrost whenever cravings hit!
Conclusion
And that’s the end of this delicious journey to creating the perfect banana cake with brown butter frosting! I hope you enjoy baking it as much as I do.
This banana cake with brown butter frosting is sure to become a favorite for family gatherings, celebrations, or any time you’re craving something sweet and comforting.
The combination of soft banana cake and rich brown butter frosting is simply irresistible. Don’t forget to share it with your loved ones – a homemade cake always tastes better when enjoyed together.
Happy baking, and I can’t wait to hear how Banana Cake With Brown Butter Frosting turns out! Enjoy every bite!
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Banana Cake With Brown Butter Frosting
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- 9×13 inch baking pan
- Saucepan (for browning butter)
- Wire cooling rack
- Whisk
Ingredients
For the Banana Cake:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- ¾ cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 3 large eggs at room temperature
- 1½ cups buttermilk at room temperature
- 1½ cups mashed ripe bananas about 4 medium or 3 large
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Brown Butter Frosting:
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 –2 teaspoons vanilla extract to taste
- 2 –4 tablespoons heavy cream adjust for desired consistency
Instructions
Get your oven ready.
- Preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan, grease it well, and either dust it lightly with flour or line it with parchment paper.
Make the base.
- In a big mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat it all until the mixture is light and fluffy this should take about 2 to 3 minutes with a hand or stand mixer. Crack in the eggs one at a time. Beat well after each one so they’re fully mixed in.
Add the ingredients..
- Mix in the mashed bananas, buttermilk, and vanilla extract. It might look a little lumpy or curdled don’t worry, that’s totally fine. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
Bring it all together.
- Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir just until everything is combined don’t overmix, or the cake could turn out dense.
Bake it.
- Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth out the top. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean.
Cool it down.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then, move it to a wire rack and let it cool completely before frosting.
Brown the butter.
- In a small saucepan, melt ¼ cup of butter over medium heat. Keep cooking it, swirling occasionally, until it turns a golden brown color and smells nutty. Watch it closely it can burn fast. Once browned, take it off the heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
Make the frosting.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the browned butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream. Beat until smooth. Add a little more cream if you want a softer, spreadable texture.
Frost the cake.
- Once the cake is fully cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Let it sit for a few minutes to set before slicing.
Notes
Nutritional Amount (per serving)
| Nutrition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 345 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 48g |
| Protein | 3g |
| Fat | 15g |
| Cholesterol | 45mg |
| Sodium | 180mg |
| Sugar | 32g |