Banana cake recipe with video & step by step photos – One of our family favorite cake, that is made repeatedly for many reasons. Delicious, soft and moist cake that is ridiculously easy to make. I had tried lot many banana cake recipes earlier and finally felt this is the best one for the texture and taste.
This banana cake can be made with whole wheat flour (atta) or a mix of wheat and plain flour or just with plain flour. This recipe works well when doubled, Since small cakes do not last in our home I double it when ever made. You can halve the recipe.
You may also like these related bread & cake recipes:
Banana bread recipe
Simple chocolate cake
Chocolate banana cake
Eggless chocolate banana cake
2 methods of making banana cake
I have shared 2 methods of making this cake. The one in the video is made by creaming the butter & sugar, then adding the egg one after the other. Then the flour. This method yields a cake similar to the texture of a basic butter cake. The taste, texture and the delicate crumbs are just amazing.
The second method I have shared in the step by step photos is made by just mixing the wet ingredients and then the dry ingredients. Then the wet with the dry. This method needs no creaming so it is just mix everything in the order and the batter is ready in minutes. This one too yields a cake with a good texture. But if you are looking for a bakery style banana cake that is light, fluffy, moist and airy, then I insist you go ahead with the first method shown in the video.
There is no change in the quantity of ingredients used in both the methods. I rarely make frosting for the cakes unless for occasions just to avoid refined sugar. I have also shared a simple vanilla frosting in the recipe card which i sometimes make for this banana cake and butter cake.
Easy banana cake recipe
Banana cake recipe | How to make easy banana cake recipe (soft & moist)
Soft, moist & fluffy banana cake - Easy to make and tastes delicious. Serve it with milk or as a snack with some melted chocolate drizzled over it.
Ingredients (240 ml cup used)
Ingredients to make banana cake
- 2 cups whole wheat flour or plain flour (refer notes)
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup fine sugar (prefer organic)
- 100 grams butter soft (around ½ cup)
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk + 2 .5 tbsp (reduce by 1 tbsp if using plain flour)
- 1 cup banana mashed ripe
How to make the recipe
Preparation for banana cake batter
- Preheat the oven to 160 C. You can also heat it to 170 C depending on your oven.
- Sieve flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
Method 1 to make banana cake (Refer video)
- Make sure butter is soft but still cold. Beat together sugar and butter until light, pale, fluffy.
Pour vanilla extract and add 1 egg at a time and beat until creamy.
- Add the other egg and beat until creamy.
Next add the sieved flour, salt and baking powder. Mix it gently.
- Adding milk in 2 batches, mix the flour until smooth. Do not over mix it.
- Add banana puree and mix until just combined. Avoid over mixing.
- Pour the batter to a lined cake tray and knock it against the counter a few times. Bake for 25 to 30 mins if using a 8 by 8 square pan. If using a different size pan, then the timing varies.
- A skewer/ tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean when the cake is done..
Method 2 to make banana cake (Refer step by step photos)
- Melt butter, beat eggs lightly.
- Whisk together milk, sugar, banana and melted butter.
- Add the flour and mix until just combined.
- Pour to a greased tray.
- Bake for 38 to 40 mins. A skewer inserted has to come out clean.You may need to adjust the timing as needed since this depends on your oven.
- Cool banana cake on a wire rack.
- Cut to desired sizes.
Recipe Video
Video of banana cake recipe
Method 1Recipe Notes
This cake works with the following flours:
whole wheat flour (slightly dense but delicious)
white whole wheat flour or whole wheat pastry flour.
plain flour or maida
A combination of any of the above flours in any proportions.
Simple Vanilla butter frosting
ingredients
2 cups powdered sugar
2 to 3 tbsp. Soft butter
3-4 tbsps. milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Method
In a large bowl, cream together sugar, butter, milk and vanilla. Use milk only as needed to bind the sugar well so that it reaches a spreading consistency. Cool the cake completely and spread the frosting. Allow it to set before slicing.
Recipe adapted from taste.com
Method 2
Preparation for banana cake recipe
1. Preheat the oven to 160 C for at least 15 mins. You may adjust this to 170 C as it depends on the oven used. 160 works good for me.
2. Sieve together flour, baking powder and salt. You can also add a bit of cinnamon powder if you like.
3. Make sure all the ingredients are at room temperature. Butter, sugar, milk, mashed banana and eggs. If eggs are from refrigerator, heat 2 to 3 cups water in a bowl to very warm temperature. Place the eggs in very warm water for sometime. They come down to room temperature quickly.
4. Beat the eggs, Soften the butter and add vanilla to mashed banana.
5. Add them all to a large bowl.
6. Whisk together. Do not beat.
How to make banana cake recipe
7. Add flour and mix until just combined.
8. Ensure there are no lumps.
9. Transfer the mixture to a greased tray. I prefer to grease and then line a parchment paper.
10. Bake for 38 to 40 mins. The timings may vary depending on the oven, so need to check after 38 mins. You may need to bake a little while longer. A skewer inserted must come out clean. Cool it for about 7 to 8 mins and invert to a wired rack. If using parchment paper, just hold the paper and lift the cake.
Cool the banana cake completely on a wired rack. Cut to desired sizes.
Sathya Natarajan says
Thank you for the response. How long does the cake stays good in room temperature?
swasthi says
Satya,
May be for a day. It is good to refrigerate
Sathya Natarajan says
Shall I skip baking powder? Am running out of it now?
swasthi says
Satya,
You can use half tsp plus 1/8 tsp of baking soda with 1 & 1/2 tsp vinegar
Sathya Natarajan says
I prefer to use palm sugar for this cake. Shall I use the same quantity that you have mentioned for white sugar? And, if I am using palm sugar should I make any changes in other ingredients?
What is the shelf life of this cake?
swasthi says
Hi Satya,
I haven’t tried this with any other sugar. I suggest you try this cake as it is. The texture may not turn out as good as this.
Sathya Natarajan says
Thank you for the response. How long does the cake stays good in room temperature?
swasthi says
Satya I think it is not good to keep it at room temperature beyond 1 day. I guess bacteria will begin to grow on any cake if left beyond a day. It is good to refrigerate and just warm up either in the microwave, oven or in the cooker for few mins.