Description
Ina Garten’s Old-Fashioned Banana Cake delivers classic comfort with a modern twist. Rich banana flavors and creamy frosting create a nostalgic dessert that invites memories of home-style baking and sweet family moments you’ll cherish.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 3 bananas, very ripe, mashed
- 2 eggs, extra-large, at room temperature
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) sour cream
Sweeteners and Flavoring Ingredients:
- ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100 grams) light brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Grated zest of 1 orange
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup (60 grams) coarsely chopped walnuts
- Cream cheese frosting
- Walnut halves, for decorating
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 180°C / 350°F and thoroughly coating a 23cm / 9-inch round cake pan with grease and flour to prevent sticking.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, gently blend mashed bananas with granulated and brown sugars until they form a uniform mixture. Incorporate vegetable oil, eggs, sour cream, vanilla extract, and orange zest, whisking until the texture becomes silky and well-integrated.
- Sift flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate container, creating a light and airy dry ingredient base. Gradually fold these dry components into the wet mixture, stirring with delicate motions to maintain the batter’s airiness. Gently introduce chopped walnuts, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
- Transfer the prepared batter into the prepared cake pan, ensuring an even surface. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, monitoring for a golden-brown color and checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean and without raw batter.
- Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 15 minutes, enabling it to set and cool slightly. Carefully remove and place on a wire cooling rack to reach room temperature completely.
- Once the cake has cooled, apply a luscious layer of cream cheese frosting across the top surface. Embellish with carefully arranged walnut halves for a sophisticated and appetizing presentation.
Notes
- Customize your cake’s texture by choosing between finely chopped or roughly broken walnuts for an unexpected crunch.
- Ensure ingredients reach room temperature before mixing to help them blend seamlessly and create a smoother batter.
- Substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter version that maintains the cake’s moisture and tender crumb.
- Check cake doneness by gently pressing the center; it should spring back and not leave an indentation when fully baked.
- Store leftover cake covered at room temperature for 3-4 days or refrigerate for extended freshness up to one week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg