Banana Cake With Brown Butter Frosting
Banana Cake With Brown Butter Frosting is a moist, flavorful dessert made with ripe bananas, buttermilk, and warm spices. Topped with rich, nutty brown butter frosting, it offers a deep, caramelized taste that elevates the classic banana cake. Perfectly soft and balanced, this cake delivers comfort and indulgence in every bite, making it a true favorite.
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
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 |