Old Fashioned Banana Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
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Old Fashioned Banana Layer Cake with
Are you looking to wow your family and friends with a delicious, old-fashioned dessert? Look no further than this classic Banana Layer Cake with
I tested this banana cake four times before getting it just like I wanted it. For me, this is the ideal mix of banana and cinnamon. I don’t like a strong banana flavor in desserts. You can taste the bananas and they keep this cake moist, but the banana flavor is not overwhelming. The cinnamon flavor is more prominent than the bananas.
I topped this cake with my very favorite Cream Cheese Frosting. This cake actually tastes much like a cinnamon roll!
Old Fashioned Banana Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
I learned a long time ago when I was making cakes for a local restaurant to always use a good non-stick spray for perfectly released cakes every time. As well, I was reminded of this again this spring when I started my Pound Cake series. I ran out of my favorite PAM Original Cooking Spray, so I asked Big Daddy to pick up a can of non-stick vegetable cooking spray while he was at the store. Well, he just picked up an off-brand and I ruined two Pound Cakes before I realized what was going on. They completely stuck the bottom and sides of the baking pan and split apart as I was inverting them onto my serving tray. What a disappointment!
(I went on to make truffles from those cakes!)
Banana Cake
This recipe is not a hard cake to make. In fact, it doesn’t even require a mixer. I prefer to whisk this cake together by hand by doing this the texture stays light and fluffy. A mixer tends to make this cake a little tough.
It’s also a great cake to let the kids help with. Let them mash the bananas and stir the cake. Most kids LOVE helping in the kitchen!
I have more banana cake recipes that you’ll enjoy. Try my Banana Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting, Pecan Banana Cake Mix Cake, Toffee Banana Layer Cake, and Banana Bread Blondies.
Pro tips
- Get my Best Ever Cream Cheese Frosting recipe here
- You can use your favorite nut in place of the pecans if you prefer. Walnuts or almonds would be excellent choices.
- Always, always use good ingredients in your baking recipes. I always use real
butter and good-quality flour. Also, invest in a really good vanilla extract, it makes a huge difference! - I do not use an electric mixer for this cake. I prefer to mix it with a whisk by hand.
- You’ll want to whisk the eggs until they’re frothy and the color lightens to a light yellow. The more air you whisk in the lighter your cake will be.
- Get tips on How to Frost a Layer Cake here.
You can freeze Banana layer cake whole or cut into slices and freeze. Check out Freezer Friendly Casseroles, too.
I updated this post from an earlier version dated October 12, 2015. I made new photos and simplified the recipe instructions.
Old Fashioned Banana Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 4 eggs beaten
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup over-ripe bananas mashed
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup pecans plus extra for garnish
Instructions
- Spray three 8-inch or 9-inch round baking pans with PAM Original Cooking Spray.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a small bowl beat eggs until frothy. Add vegetable oil and whisk until well combined.
- In another large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, ground cinnamon and salt.
- Add egg mixture into the flour mixture and whisk until combined. Do not over work this mixture.
- Stir in pecans, vanilla and bananas carefully.
- Evenly distribute the batter between your three cake pans.
- Bake in preheated 350-degree oven for 21 to 22 minutes or until lightly browned. Test cake with a wooden pick, when the pick comes out with no crumbs or dry crumbs the cake is done.
- Wait until the cake is completely cool before frosting. For a more professional cake, remove the domes from the tops of the cake layers with a cake leveler or large serrated knife. Place one layer of cake on a serving plate. Spread about 1 cup of the frosting on top in an even layer. Repeat with the next layer of cake and frosting, then top the cake with the final layer of cake (if you have 3 layers). Frost the outside of the cake. An offset spatula makes it really easy to get an even layer.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are important to you, I recommend calculating them yourself.