Ultimate Banana Bread Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting: A Heavenly Combination
Prepare your taste buds for an extraordinary experience: a moist, flavorful banana bread cake generously frosted while still warm with an unbelievably delicious brown butter cream cheese frosting. This isn’t just a dessert; it’s a celebration of comfort, flavor, and a touch of culinary magic. The unique technique of frosting the cake while it’s still warm creates a luscious, almost glazed top layer that truly elevates this classic treat to superb new heights.
(Photo updated January 2016)
The Sweet Inspiration: A Birthday Celebration and Community Spirit
This delightful banana bread cake has a story rooted in celebration and community. A few years ago, I hosted a virtual birthday party on my Facebook page. It wasn’t just a personal milestone; it was also a joyous occasion to celebrate reaching 5,000 fantastic fans for “An Affair from the Heart”! To mark the event, I invited fellow food enthusiasts and bloggers to share their favorite cake and drink recipes with me and my growing community. The response was heartwarming, filling my feed with incredible culinary inspiration.
Among the many wonderful submissions, this particular Banana Bread Cake recipe immediately caught my eye. It was one of the first I couldn’t wait to try, and for good reason. The combination of classic banana bread flavors in a cake format, topped with a unique brown butter cream cheese frosting, sounded absolutely irresistible. Little did I know, it would become a beloved staple in my kitchen, especially for one very special “banana nut” in my life.
Why This Banana Bread Cake is a Must-Try
This recipe, generously shared by WonkyWonderful, quickly became a favorite. My husband, a self-proclaimed “banana nut,” has an undeniable love for anything banana, so I knew this cake would be the perfect treat for him, especially on Father’s Day. And I was right – it was an instant hit!
What makes this banana bread cake truly exceptional is the harmonious blend of familiar comfort and sophisticated flavor. It marries the rustic charm of traditional banana bread with the tender crumb and celebratory feel of a cake. But the real game-changer is the brown butter cream cheese frosting. Brown butter, with its deep, nutty, and caramelized notes, adds an incredible depth of flavor that a regular cream cheese frosting simply can’t achieve. When this rich, creamy frosting is spread over the cake while it’s still warm, it melts ever so slightly, creating a beautiful, glossy glaze that is both visually appealing and incredibly decadent. Each bite offers a perfect balance of moist cake, sweet bananas, and a uniquely flavorful frosting.
(Another updated photo from January 2016 showcasing a perfectly frosted slice)
Crafting the Perfect Banana Bread Cake
Creating this banana bread cake is a straightforward process, yielding incredibly delicious results. The key to a truly flavorful banana cake lies in using very ripe bananas. Those brown, spotty bananas sitting on your counter are not past their prime; they are perfectly ready to be transformed into a sweet, fragrant masterpiece. Mashing them well ensures their sweetness and moisture are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
The addition of sour cream and non-fat Greek yogurt to the cake batter contributes significantly to its moist and tender texture. These ingredients introduce a subtle tang that beautifully balances the sweetness of the bananas and sugars, while also adding richness without making the cake too heavy. The blend of white and brown sugars provides a complex sweetness, with brown sugar adding a hint of molasses flavor that complements the bananas perfectly. Don’t forget the warmth of cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg; these spices are essential for that classic, comforting banana bread aroma and taste.
While the recipe calls for chopped walnuts, they are entirely optional. If you’re like my husband and prefer your banana treats nut-free, simply omit them from the batter. However, if you enjoy a delightful crunch, a sprinkling of walnuts on top of your individual slice or mixed into the batter adds a wonderful textural contrast and an earthy flavor that pairs well with the sweet cake and frosting. This cake is incredibly adaptable, allowing you to customize it to your preference, making it a truly versatile dessert for any occasion.
(Photo updated 2016 for clarity and appeal)
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Print Recipe
Banana Bread Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- Cake:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup non-fat Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts optional
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 4 smashed ripe bananas
- Frosting:
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 2 T. milk
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- sprinkle of cinnamon
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
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In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, white sugar, brown sugar, sour cream, and Greek yogurt until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
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Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract and the mashed bananas. Stir until just combined.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
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Fold in the chopped walnuts if desired. (I often omit them because my husband prefers his cake without nuts, but I love to sprinkle some on my own piece!)
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Pour the batter into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
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While the cake is baking, prepare the brown butter cream cheese frosting. This way, it will be ready to spread on the warm cake!
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For the frosting, place 1/4 cup of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Let it melt, then continue to cook, stirring occasionally. The butter will foam, then turn a beautiful amber color and develop nutty brown bits at the bottom. This process usually takes a few minutes after it comes to a boil. Remove from heat immediately once it reaches the desired color and aroma to prevent burning.
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With a whisk, stir the browned butter into the powdered sugar, cream cheese, vanilla extract, milk, and a sprinkle of cinnamon until the frosting is smooth, creamy, and lump-free.
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Once the cake has cooled for about 10 minutes (it should still be warm to the touch), pour the warm brown butter cream cheese frosting over the top and gently spread it evenly.
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Allow the cake to cool completely, letting the frosting set beautifully. Top with extra chopped nuts if desired before serving. Enjoy this superb treat!
Notes
Nutrition
The Magic of Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
The brown butter cream cheese frosting isn’t just an accompaniment; it’s a star in its own right. Browning butter is a simple yet transformative technique that yields incredible results. As the butter melts and cooks, the milk solids in it toast and turn golden brown, releasing a deeply nutty, caramelized aroma and flavor. This distinct nutty essence is then incorporated into the classic tang of cream cheese frosting, creating a profile that’s far more complex and alluring than your average frosting.
The trick of frosting the cake while it’s still warm is what makes this dessert truly stand out. Instead of waiting for the cake to cool completely, applying the warm frosting allows it to melt ever so slightly into the cake’s surface. This creates a beautiful, glossy, almost glazed finish, reminiscent of a gourmet donut. The frosting settles into a smooth, slightly thinner layer that perfectly complements the moist cake, making each bite incredibly tender and flavorful. It’s a simple step that makes a profound difference in the overall texture and presentation of the cake.
The top of the cake, with its warm frosting, turns so pretty and glossy, just like a glazed donut! It’s a visual treat that promises an even more delightful taste.
Serving and Storage Suggestions
This banana bread cake is delightful served warm or at room temperature. A slice alongside a cup of coffee or tea makes for a perfect breakfast or afternoon treat. It’s also an excellent dessert to share with family and friends, whether for a casual gathering or a special occasion like Father’s Day, as it was for my husband.
To store any leftovers, cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. It will keep well at room temperature for up to two days, or in the refrigerator for up to five days. The flavors tend to deepen beautifully over time, making it even more delicious the next day. If you chose to add nuts, a fresh sprinkle right before serving can enhance the texture and aroma. Consider trying variations too: add chocolate chips to the batter for a banana chocolate chip cake, or swirl in a bit of caramel sauce with the frosting for an extra layer of indulgence.
This recipe is more than just a cake; it’s a testament to how simple ingredients, combined with a little love and a clever technique, can create something truly memorable. The joy of baking, especially for loved ones, is one of life’s greatest pleasures, and this banana bread cake with brown butter cream cheese frosting is sure to bring smiles to everyone who tries it. Give it a go, and prepare to fall in love with its irresistible charm!
