Moist Banana Cake (Printer-Friendly)
Moist and tender banana cake with sweet banana flavor, perfect for dessert or afternoon tea.
# What You'll Need:
→ Wet Ingredients
01 - 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/3 cups)
02 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
03 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Dry Ingredients
06 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
07 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
08 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
→ Optional Add-ins
11 - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
12 - 1/2 cup chocolate chips
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9-inch round or square cake pan.
02 - In a large bowl, beat the mashed bananas, oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon if using.
04 - Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.
05 - Stir in nuts or chocolate chips if desired.
06 - Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface.
07 - Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
08 - Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It turns spotted bananas you almost tossed into the most tender comforting cake you will eat all week.
- No mixer required and the whole thing comes together with a bowl a whisk and about fifteen minutes of effort.
02 -
- Overmixing the batter is the single biggest mistake you can make because it develops the gluten in the flour and turns your cake rubbery instead of tender.
- Checking the cake at 35 minutes instead of waiting the full 40 can save you from a dry edge because every oven runs slightly differently.
03 -
- Toast your nuts in a dry pan for three minutes before adding them because the heat releases their oils and deepens the flavor dramatically.
- A tablespoon of sour cream or yogurt folded into the wet ingredients makes the crumb even more tender without changing the banana flavor at all.