Making a banana cake is a straightforward and rewarding baking project. The cake is moist, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. Here's a step-by-step guide to making a delicious banana cake from scratch:

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (50g) brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 large ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 ½ cups)
• ½ cup (120ml) buttermilk

Optional:

• ½ cup (85g) chocolate chips or chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)

For the Frosting (Optional):

• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup (60g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside.

3. Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes.

4. Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

5. Incorporate the Bananas

Mix in the mashed bananas until fully combined. The mixture might look slightly curdled, but that's okay.

6. Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Buttermilk

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk. Start and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until incorporated after each addition.

7. Fold in Optional Ingredients

If you're using chocolate chips or nuts, gently fold them into the batter at this stage.

8. Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

9. Cool the Cake

Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

10. Prepare the Frosting (Optional)

While the cake is cooling, prepare the frosting. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating until the frosting is light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract.

11. Frost the Cake (Optional)

Once the cake is completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting over the top. You can also decorate the cake with additional banana slices, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.

12. Serve and Enjoy

Slice the cake into squares and serve. Enjoy your homemade banana cake as a delicious dessert or snack!

Tips for Success

• Use Ripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your cake will be. Look for bananas with plenty of brown spots.
• Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined to avoid a dense cake.
• Cool Completely Before Frosting: Make sure the cake is completely cool before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.

This banana cake is a crowd-pleaser with its moist texture and rich banana flavor. Whether you enjoy it plain or with a creamy frosting, it’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection!