Peanut Butter Banana Cake Recipe
This Peanut Butter Banana Cake Recipe is a moist, flavorful dessert made from ripe bananas, sugar, butter, and creamy peanut butter. The cake has a tender crumb and rich, nutty flavor, complemented by smooth peanut butter frosting. Easy to make and deeply satisfying, it brings comfort and indulgence to any gathering, inspiring home bakers to try and enjoy.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Rubber spatula
- 9-inch round cake pan or square pan
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cooling rack
- Offset spatula or knife (for frosting)
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- ½ cup 100 g dark brown sugar
- ⅓ cup 66 g granulated sugar
- 2 large very ripe bananas about 1 cup, mashed
- 6 tablespoons 84 g unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1½ cups 180 g all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Peanut Butter Buttercream Frosting:
- 1½ cups 420 g smooth, creamy peanut butter
- 1½ cups 315 g unsalted butter, softened
- 2½ to 3 cups 300 g powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Step 1: Get the oven and pan ready
- Turn on your oven and set it to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9-inch cake pan by greasing it with butter or nonstick spray, and then lightly dust it with flour. If you prefer, line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal later.
Step 2: Mash the bananas
- Take your ripe bananas, peel them, and place them in a small bowl. Use a fork to mash them until they’re smooth and mostly lump-free. Set the bowl aside for now.
Step 3: Mix the wet ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, vegetable oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and the mashed bananas. Whisk everything together until the mixture looks smooth and fully blended.
Step 4: Add eggs and vanilla
- Crack the eggs in, one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Then pour in the vanilla extract and mix again until the batter is creamy and even.
Step 5: Combine the dry ingredients
- In a separate medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This helps keep the cake light and evenly textured.
Step 6: Bring the mixtures together
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in two parts, alternating with the buttermilk. Stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until everything is just combined. Be careful not to over mix—doing so can make the cake dense.
Step 7: Pour and bake
- Pour the finished batter into your prepared pan. Use a spatula to spread it evenly across the top. Place it in the oven and bake for about 30–35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center—it should come out clean.
Step 8: Cool the cake
- Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before you frost it.
Step 9: Make the frosting
- In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and peanut butter until the texture becomes creamy and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and a pinch of salt while mixing. Keep beating until the frosting is smooth and light. You can adjust the sugar to get your preferred sweetness and thickness.
Step 10: Frost and serve
- When the cake is completely cool, spread the peanut butter frosting evenly over the top and the sides, if you like. Slice it up and serve. Enjoy your homemade peanut butter banana cake!
Notes
❖ Banana Tip: Use very ripe bananas for the best flavor and texture. They’ll be sweeter and will give your cake that perfect banana essence.
❖ Peanut Butter Preference: If you like a bit of crunch in your cake, go for crunchy peanut butter. Otherwise, creamy peanut butter works perfectly well for a smooth consistency.
❖ Buttermilk Substitute: If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute it with regular milk. Just add a teaspoon of lemon juice to it and let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
❖ Frosting Variations: You can adjust the frosting’s consistency by adding more or less milk. For a thicker frosting, add less milk, and for a smoother texture, add a bit more.