Fluffy Banana Heaven: Ina Garten’s Light Cake Recipe

Soft, moist banana cake draws food lovers into a world of delectable comfort.

The legendary Ina Garten banana cake recipe promises a delightful twist on classic dessert traditions.

Bananas bring natural sweetness and incredible depth to this beloved treat.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike adore the simplicity of this elegant cake.

Each slice delivers rich, tender crumbs that melt in your mouth.

The recipe balances classic ingredients with Garten’s culinary finesse.

One bite transports you to a warm kitchen filled with irresistible aromas.

You’ll want to savor every memorable moment of this decadent banana cake experience.

Ways to Switch Up Ina Garten’s Banana Cake Flavor

• Replace walnuts with pecans, almonds, or skip nuts entirely for those with allergies or preferences.
• Keep cake ultra-soft by using very ripe, nearly black bananas with maximum natural sweetness and moisture.
• Sprinkle ground cinnamon or nutmeg into the batter for warm, deeper flavor profile that complements banana's natural taste.
• Create texture variations by piping cream cheese frosting decoratively or spreading smoothly for different visual presentations.
• Store cake covered at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerate up to 5 days, always allowing it to reach room temperature before serving for best taste and texture.

Serving Ina Garten’s Banana Cake with Style

• Brunch Brilliance: Slice this banana cake and serve alongside a steaming cup of coffee or fresh-squeezed orange juice for a delightful weekend morning treat.
• Dessert Elegance: Plate individual slices with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to elevate the cake's rich, moist texture.
• Party Perfect Presentation: Arrange the cake on a beautiful cake stand, garnish with whole walnut halves, and create an impressive centerpiece for gatherings or special occasions.
• Afternoon Tea Companion: Pair thin slices with a hot cup of Earl Grey tea, allowing the cake's subtle orange zest and nutty undertones to complement the beverage perfectly.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients to Mix Ina Garten’s Banana Cake

• Bananas: Bring overripe, golden-brown bananas for maximum sweetness and intense banana flavor, ensuring a moist and tender texture.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Combine for deep caramel undertones and balanced sweetness, creating a rich cake profile.
• Vegetable Oil: Delivers incredible moisture and soft crumb, helping the cake stay fresh longer.
• Eggs: Provide structure and richness, binding ingredients seamlessly.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy depth and ensures exceptional cake tenderness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity with warm, aromatic notes.
• Orange Zest: Introduces bright, citrusy undertones for unexpected freshness.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates fundamental cake structure with soft, delicate texture.
• Baking Soda: Helps cake rise evenly and develop light, airy consistency.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other ingredient flavors.

• Walnuts: Contribute delightful crunch and nutty complexity, optional but recommended for depth.
• Walnut Halves: Perfect decorative element for elegant cake presentation.

• Cream Cheese: Provides silky, tangy base for luxurious frosting.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and smooth consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out frosting with warm, comforting flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates perfect sweetness and glossy finish.

Kitchen Essentials for Ina Garten’s Banana Cake

• Electric Mixer with Paddle Attachment: Your key tool for mixing ingredients smoothly and creating that perfect cake batter consistency.
• 9-by-2-inch Round Cake Pan: Essential for baking the cake with the right shape and size.
• Cooling Rack: Perfect for letting the cake cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Sifter: Helps blend dry ingredients like flour, baking soda, and salt without lumps.
• Mixing Bowls: Two separate bowls for wet and dry ingredients make preparation easier.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements ensure baking success.
• Toothpick: Helps check if the cake is fully baked by testing the center.
• Spatula: Great for scraping batter and spreading frosting evenly.

Step-by-Step Guide for Baking Banana Cake by Ina

Banana Cake Adventure

• Oven Preparation Cozy kitchen warmup with preheating the oven to a gentle 350 degrees. Lovingly coat a round cake pan with flour and a whisper of grease.
• Banana Symphony Mash ripe bananas with sugars in an electric mixer, creating a creamy base that promises deliciousness. Let the mixer sing on low speed.
• Liquid Magic Gently stream in oil, eggs, sour cream, vanilla, and orange zest while the mixer continues its delicate dance. Watch ingredients merge into a silky batter.
• Dry Ingredient Harmony Softly sift flour, baking soda, and salt together. Fold these dry companions into the wet mixture, mixing just until they become friends.
• Nutty Optional Moment Sprinkle chopped walnuts for a crunchy surprise if desired. Pour batter into the prepared pan and let the oven work its magic for 45-50 minutes.
• Cooling Ritual Allow cake to rest in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack for its final relaxation.
• Frosting Finale Spread cream cheese frosting generously across the cake. Optional walnut halves can add a crown of elegance to your creation.
• Frosting Creation Blend cream cheese, butter, and vanilla gently. Incorporate sugar until smooth and dreamy, avoiding aggressive whipping.

Storing Banana Cake from Ina’s Kitchen

• Refrigerate Right: Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping its moisture and delightful texture intact.
• Freeze with Ease: Wrap the unfrosted cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting.
• Room Temperature Magic: Let the frosted cake sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to enhance its flavor and softness.
• Smart Serving Tip: Cut clean slices by using a warm, wet knife – wipe the blade between each slice for picture-perfect pieces.

Irresistible Banana Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s banana cake delights dessert enthusiasts with its moist crumb and rich flavor profile. Elegant yet simple, this classic cake offers comfort and indulgence for friends and family gatherings.

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Ingredients

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• 3 bananas (very ripe, mashed)
• 2 eggs (extra-large, room temperature)
• 6 oz (170 g) cream cheese (room temperature)
• 6 tbsps (85 g or ¾ stick) unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 2 ½ cups (300 g) confectioners’ sugar (sifted, ½ pound)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup light brown sugar (lightly packed)
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup walnuts (coarsely chopped, optional)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (for cake)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (for frosting)
• Grated zest of 1 orange
• Walnut halves (for decorating, optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch round cake pan with flour, ensuring complete coverage.
2. Banana Mixture: Blend ripe mashed bananas with granulated and brown sugars using an electric mixer on low speed until smooth and consistent.
3. Wet Ingredients Integration: Slowly incorporate vegetable oil, eggs, sour cream, vanilla extract, and orange zest into the banana mixture, maintaining low-speed mixing for uniform texture.
4. Dry Ingredient Combination: Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together in a separate bowl to eliminate potential lumps and ensure even distribution.
5. Batter Assembly: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring minimally to prevent overmixing and maintain a light, tender cake texture. Fold in chopped walnuts if desired.
6. Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing the surface evenly. Bake for 45-50 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the cake develops a golden-brown exterior.
7. Cooling Stage: Allow cake to rest in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
8. Frosting Preparation: Blend softened cream cheese, unsalted butter, and vanilla extract in an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until the frosting reaches a creamy consistency.
9. Final Assembly: Once cake has cooled completely, generously spread cream cheese frosting across the top. Optionally garnish with whole walnut halves for an elegant presentation.

Notes

• Perfect Banana Selection: Use extremely ripe, nearly black bananas with brown speckles for maximum sweetness and intense banana flavor.
• Mixing Technique Matters: Avoid overmixing batter to prevent a tough, dense cake texture; mix just until ingredients are combined for tender crumb.
• Temperature Control: Allow ingredients like eggs, sour cream, and cream cheese to reach room temperature before mixing to ensure smooth, even incorporation.
• Frosting Consistency Tip: Chill cream cheese frosting for 15-20 minutes before spreading to achieve a firmer, more spreadable consistency that won’t slide off the cake.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 36 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg