A super moist and tender cake that is loaded with the great flavors of nutty brown butter, warm spices and the star of the show, sweet bananas. Then layered with a smooth and silky brown butter cream cheese frosting and topped with fresh banana slices, maple glazed walnuts and a drizzle of salted caramel. The perfect combination of textures and flavors.
When you think about it, bananas make such a great snack. They are super sweet and tasty and they come prepackaged so they’re a great on the go treat. They are perfect for topping cereal or freezing them and blending them into smoothies. One of my favorite ways to have bananas, is to incorporate them into a baked good like Banana Bread or this delicious Brown Butter Banana Cake With Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting. It is the perfect way to showcase those sweet bananas.
Tips For Making This Cake
- The Bananas: For this cake you will want to use very ripe bananas, you know the ones with all the brown spots that everyone seems to avoid. This is when they are perfect. At there peek of sweetness.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Having your ingredients at room temperature will allow them to blend together smoothly.
- Preparation: Preparing your cakes a day in advance gives them plenty of time to cool and will also allow them to firm up. Just bake and allow to cool completely. Once cooled, wrap in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator over night.
- Decorating: If using fresh banana slices to decorate this cake, you are going to want to do this right before serving, other wise your banana slices may start to turn brown.
- Slated Caramel: If you don’t want to go through the trouble of making your own salted caramel, you could always use store bought salted caramel.
Why You will Love This Cake:
- Flavor, Flavor, Flavor: The sweet bananas, rich and nutty brown butter and warm spices make this cake an absolute treat. Then covered with a silky smooth frosting and topped with delicious salted caramel, maple glazed walnuts, sliced bananas and a shaving of bittersweet chocolate for the perfect combination of flavors.
- Texture: The cake itself is super moist and tender then add that creamy frosting and a little crunch from the maple glazed walnuts and you have the perfect bite.
- Bananas: Don’t throw away those extra ripe bananas. You know the ones with all the brown spots that everyone seems to avoid. Little do they know, this is when they are at there sweetest and perfect for adding to recipes.
Other Banana Recipes:
- Mini Banana Cream Pie Cupcakes:
- Banana Blueberry Muffins
- Banana Chocolate Chip Crumble Cake
- Tropical Banana Bread
Disclaimer:
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Brown Butter Banana Cake With Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: MediumA moist and tender cake that is loaded with flavors like nutty brown butter, warm cinnamon and those sweet bananas layered between a silky smooth brown butter cream cheese frosting, then topped with some maple glazed walnuts and fresh banana slices and drizzled with salted caramel. The perfect combination of flavors and textures to tantalize your taste buds.
Ingredients
- For The Cake
3 Cups All Purpose Flour
2 Teaspoons baking soda
1 Teaspoon salt
2 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
1 Cup unsalted butter, browned
1 Cup Dark Brown Sugar
1 Cup Granulated Sugar
4 Eggs
1 Cup buttermilk
1 Tablespoon Pure Vanilla Extract
4 Medium very ripe bananas
- For The Frosting
1 Cup unsalted butter browned and completely cooled and brought back to a soft but solid state
8 oz. Cream cheese, softened
3 1/2 – 4 Cups Powdered Sugar
1 Teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
- For The Salted Caramel
1 Cup granulated sugar
2 Tablespoons water
1/2 Cup heavy whipping cream
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into tiny pieces
1 Teaspoon salt.
- For The Maple Glazed Walnuts
1 Cup Walnuts
1/3 Cup Pure Maple Syrup
- For Decorating
Fresh banana slices
Shaved bittersweet chocolate
Directions
- For The Cake
- Place the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat cook stirring occasionally until foamy. Continue cooking until liquid turns golden and brown bits start to form at the bottom of the pan. Remove from heat and pour into a glass measuring cup, brown bits and all. Set to the side and allow to cool.
- Preheat oven to 350º. Line the bottom of two 8” round baking trays with a Parchment Paper Round then set to the side.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon until combined. Set to the side.
- To a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the cooled brown butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, buttermilk, vanilla extract and bananas until completely combined. Pour into the dry ingredients and mix until combined. Divide batter between the two prepared baking dishes, filling to 3/4 full. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
- For The Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
- Place butter in a small saucepan over medium heat and cook until foamy, stirring occasionally. Continue cooking until liquid turns slightly golden and brown bits start to form on the bottom of the pan. Pour into a glass measuring cup and allow to cool completely, bringing it back to a solid but soft state.
- Place softened cream cheese and the cooled brown butter into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat at medium speed until combined. Turn off mixer and add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract and salt. Starting on low speed, beat the mixture until smooth and creamy.
- For The Salted Caramel
- Place the granulated sugar and water in a medium sized saucepan set over medium heat. Stir until sugar starts to dissolve and come to a slight boil. Allow sugar to boil without stirring for 8 to 10 minutes or until it turns golden in color
- Once the sugar becomes golden in color, remove it from the heat and immediately pour in the heavy cream. It will start to bubble. Using a wooden spoon, stir to combine. Once it’s all combined, stir in the butter until melted and mixed through. Add the salt and stir to combine. Allow to cool completely before using. Any remaining caramel can be stored in a jar with a lid for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
- For The Maple Glazed Walnuts
- Place walnuts and syrup in a frying pan set over medium heat. Cook until syrup is absorbed and walnuts are completely coated. Pour into a single layer on a piece of parchment paper and set to the side to cool completely.
- To Assemble the cake
- This makes a two layer cake. If you would like a three layer cake like in the picture, you will have to make another batch of cake. You can save the extra layer by wrapping it with plastic wrap and storing it in the freezer for up to three months. Place one layer of the cake on a serving tray. Top with frosting. Place another layer on top and once again top with frosting. I did not cover the sides with frosting but you can if you like.
- Top the cake with the salted caramel. Place sliced bananas on top and sprinkle with the maple glazed walnuts and shaved chocolate then serve.
- Enjoy
