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.
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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 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.
Step-by-step photos
Preparation for banana cake recipe
Recipe
Banana cake
For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card
Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )
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 ripe banana mashed
Instructions
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 (without hand mixer)
- Beat eggs lightly in a mixing bowl.
- Pour melted butter, milk, sugar and mashed banana. Whisk until well combined.
- 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.
Video
Video of banana cake recipe
Method 1NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)
Notes
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.
Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.
For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.
© Swasthi’s Recipes
Dr hazra says
Hi swasthi.
This s the first time I m writing here but I follow ur recepies since long. They r awesome. Today I baked banana cake and it’s just superb. We all loved it. I never thought whole wheat cake turns out so soft n spongy. Thanks a lot. Keep up adding taste to our lives.
swasthi says
Hi Dr.Hazra
You are welcome! Glad it turned out good. Thank you so much for leaving a comment.
Anne says
My cake did not cook within 30 mins. Is it bcoz I used an 8inch round pan? How much time is needed in oven for round pan? And do I change the temperature?
It did rise beautifully though (｡♡‿♡｡)
swasthi says
Hi Anne,
Yes if you use a 8 inch round pan, it will take more time. It should take about 34 to 35 mins. It may also have some cracks on top as the batter will be slightly more. I do at 160 in fan forced oven and at 170 C in regular oven. This cake cracks on top when baked at higher temperature. You may experiment even at 180 C. Hope this helps.
Alaknanda says
Can I used salted butter or does it have to be unsalted one?
swasthi says
I prefer unsalted butter. If you don’t have then you may use salted one and skip salt in the recipe
Nidhi says
Easy to understand but also put spiny cake recipe
lakshmi says
Hi swasthi gaaru how r u ? thinking to make cake from long ago but never tried. Finally sunday try chesaanu ( as my kid keep asking me), believe me the outcome was super super super….. i never expect dat antha baaga vasthundani, even while baking also i am thinking surely it wont come properly unneccesarily i wasted everything like dat.. my kid expressions ayithe super, amma yentha perfect ga chesaavamma bhale tasty ga undi ani.. thankq very much swasthi. I made without eggs even though it tasted good. I made on stop top swasthi n as i dont have big cooker i used aluminium vesel while baking the salt is making sound is dat normal ? I afraid a lot 😂
swasthi says
Hi Lakshmi,
I am doing good. Thank you! I bought one aluminium pot from Bangalore 3 years ago to try a cake recipe, couldn’t try one yet. I think if the base is not thick enough salt will crackle and make noise. Try it in a heavy bottom pot. I moderated your other comment. For weight loss move to 2 healthy meals per day instead of 3. You will naturally lose overtime & it is the best way. This is what is working for both of us now.
🙂
Paula says
If I want to use half of the banana, what substitute is needed, or can I just cut the amount of banana without adding something else? Sorry one of my kid is very picky
swasthi says
Hi Paula,
I haven’t tried with half of the banana. But this cake has a lighter banana flavor and not like the usual banana cakes. I think your kid will not even know there is banana in it.
Arthi Madanagopalan says
Thank you for this recipe! Came out really well and my family enjoyed it 🙂
swasthi says
Welcome Arthi
Pete says
I’m a bit stuck on cup size – it doesn’t seem to be a standard measure as there are umpteen varieties of cup (dumb bloke here, inexperienced baker).
I saw an American site that said a cup translates at 240ml. Would that be correct for your recipe?
Sorry for the daft question…
swasthi says
Hi Pete,
Yes 1 cup is equal to 240 ml.
Megha Murty says
Hi Swasthi, I tried your banana cake and it turned out very light, spongy and tasty. However it did not get the nice caramel coloured top your cake has, it was too white. I baked at 160C in convection for 35 mins in a 9 inch round pan, why do you think I did not get the colour??
Monalisa says
Hi Swasthi , thanks for the Banana cake recipe …the cake was fabulous.
swasthi says
Hi Monalisa
You are welcome! Glad to know. Thank you
Santhalakshmi says
Hi swasthi,
What type of Banana I can use?
Red banana or only yellow banana I should Use?
Thanks in Advance 😊
swasthi says
Hi Santhalakshmi
Yellow ripe banana is used here
Indu says
Hello mam, I don’t have baking powder. What else can I add to make it soft n fluffy.
swasthi says
Hi Indu,
It should work with 3/4th plus 1/8th tsp soda and 1 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice. Mix the vinegar with milk and use.
Cynthia says
Hi,
Baked 🍌 cake using your recipe. It was awesome.
Thank you for your recipe.
Cynthia.
swasthi says
Glad to know Cynthia
thank you
Kriti says
Hi swasti
I tried ragi cookies but it did not turn good. Dont know where i went wrong.
My otg doesn’t have time setting.
I am going to try banana cake today however i do not have vanilla essence. Can you kindly advise
swasthi says
Hi Kriti,
You can use cardamom powder
Simal Kaur says
Please please tell me the timings to bake cake.. my cake gets dry from upper side. i have LG microwave convention..
swasthi says
Hi Simal,
If the top gets browned too quickly or dry, then carefully place a foil over the pan after baking it for 15 mins. If you have used a 8 by 8 square pan then it takes about 25 to 30 mins. Hope this helps
Simal Kaur says
Hi can you please tell me that .. what you are using in this cake ? I mean maida or aata? I am not understanding .. please help me
swasthi says
Hi Simal,
You can use atta or maida. With atta the cake is slightly dense. If you prefer the bakery style light and fluffy cake please use maida.
Simal Kaur says
Thanks alot dear.. very happy with your recipes ❤️
swasthi says
Welcome Simal
Thank you!
Jamila Begam says
Can I cook it in pressure cooker? How much should be the flame
?
swasthi says
I haven’t tried in cooker. Halve the recipe and try in a 6 inch pan. It should take about 30 mins. But this is just a estimate. You have to figure out the exact time
Lydia says
Can I use atta for flour?
swasthi says
Please read the notes. The texture is good if you make following the first method.
Priya Devi says
Hiiì…thanks for the lovely recipe….but i want to know something which really confuses me like what elsc can be used in place of butter…can oil work ?????
swasthi says
Welcome Priya
for best results use butter
Puja says
My cake was salty.. Also I was not able to take out complete slice, it was breaking..
swasthi says
Hi Puja
Don’t know where you went wrong.
Neetu says
Hi Swasthi, is it necessary to line the cake tray with butter paper? I’m not able to find butter paper :/
swasthi says
Hi Neetu,
This cake doesn’t stick much at the bottom. Just sprinkle some flour and use.
Neetu says
Ok, thanks a ton 🙂 Can I also just line the tray with butter/oil, will that work?
swasthi says
Yes You can just grease with little butter and then better to sprinkle flour. Then lastly dust off the excess flour.
Alia Debbarma says
Hi swasthi,thanks for your recipe,your every recipes are really wonderful and perfect.
swasthi says
Hi Alia,
You are welcome. Glad you like the recipes. Thank you!
🙂