If you have a soft spot for moist, flavorful cakes that feel like a warm hug in every bite, then let me introduce you to the magic of the Heavenly Banana Walnut Cream Cake Recipe. This delightful creation combines the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with the satisfying crunch of toasted walnuts, all enveloped in a luscious cream cheese frosting that’s just the right balance of tangy and sweet. It’s the perfect finish to any meal or a show-stopping treat to brighten your afternoon coffee break. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it will quickly become your go-to dessert for celebrations or just because.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Though the list might look a little lengthy, the ingredients for this cake are straightforward and easy to find. Each plays a crucial role in creating the perfect harmony of flavor, texture, and moisture that makes the Heavenly Banana Walnut Cream Cake Recipe so irresistible.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure needed for a tender crumb.
- Baking soda: Helps the cake rise beautifully and become light.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Cinnamon: Adds subtle warmth and spice.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Contributes richness and a velvety texture.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake moist and tender for days.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps with browning.
- Brown sugar: Adds depth and a slight caramel note.
- Eggs: Bind ingredients and add moisture, essential for cake stability.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with a classic warmth.
- Mashed ripe bananas: Infuse the cake with natural sweetness and moisture.
- Buttermilk: Tenderizes the cake and adds a gentle tanginess.
- Chopped walnuts: Offer a delightful crunch and earthy flavor contrast.
- Cream cheese (for frosting): Brings creamy tang that’s perfect with bananas.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and smooths the frosting.
- Heavy cream or milk: Adjusts frosting texture to dreamy perfection.
- Optional garnishes: Additional walnuts, banana slices, or whipped cream add a gorgeous finishing touch.
How to Make Heavenly Banana Walnut Cream Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pans and Dry Ingredients
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures even baking right from the start. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or simply line them with parchment paper for easy removal. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. This step makes sure your leavening agent and spices get evenly distributed, which will give your cake a beautifully uniform taste and texture.
Step 2: Cream Butter, Oil, and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat together softened butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This process incorporates air, helping your cake rise and keeping it tender. The combination of butter and oil also makes for a richness that is truly unbeatable.
Step 3: Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Bananas
Next, add the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Follow that with the vanilla extract and the star ingredient: mashed ripe bananas. Using very ripe bananas here is key—they’re sweeter and impart fantastic flavor and moisture to the cake, giving you that signature banana goodness we’re all craving.
Step 4: Alternate Flour and Buttermilk
Now, add the flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. This helps maintain the batter’s structure while keeping it moist and tender. Stir gently but thoroughly—overmixing can make your cake tough, so a light hand here is your best friend.
Step 5: Fold in Chopped Walnuts
Finally, fold in the chopped walnuts. These crunchy bits add texture and a nutty depth that balances the sweetness perfectly. If you like your walnuts toasted, feel free to give them a quick toast in a dry pan—they’ll bring even more flavor to the table.
Step 6: Bake and Cool the Cake
Divide the batter evenly into the prepared pans and smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. After baking, let the cakes cool in their pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. Patience here pays off with a perfectly set cake that’s ready for frosting.
Step 7: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
While your cake layers cool, whip up the luxurious cream cheese frosting. Beat softened cream cheese and butter together until silky and smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until fluffy and luscious. For that ideal spreadable consistency, mix in heavy cream or milk one tablespoon at a time—the frosting should be soft but hold its shape.
Step 8: Assemble Your Cake
When cakes are completely cool, start decorating! Spread a generous amount of frosting on the top of one layer, then gently place the second cake layer on top. Cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting, smoothing the top and sides for a clean, elegant finish. Garnish with extra chopped walnuts, banana slices, or a piped border of whipped cream—any of these options takes this cake to the next level.
How to Serve Heavenly Banana Walnut Cream Cake Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing your Heavenly Banana Walnut Cream Cake Recipe is your chance to add a personal touch. Sliced bananas arranged on top provide a fresh, natural look, while a sprinkle of chopped walnuts enhances texture and visual appeal. A dollop of whipped cream adds a light, fluffy contrast to the dense cake and creamy frosting.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs deliciously with a hot cup of coffee or tea, making it ideal for cozy afternoons. For a more exuberant dessert plate, consider fresh berries or a drizzle of salted caramel sauce alongside your slice, which enhances the creamy sweetness beautifully without overpowering it.
Creative Ways to Present
To wow your guests, consider serving individual mini slices in decorative glass jars or small plates with a swirl of extra frosting and a sprinkle of nuts on the side. You can also dust the top lightly with cinnamon or cocoa powder for an extra dash of color. For a fun twist, offer DIY toppings like toasted coconut or chocolate shavings so everyone can customize their slice.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Heavenly Banana Walnut Cream Cake Recipe keeps wonderfully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keeping the cake chilled not only preserves freshness but also helps the frosting stay firm and delicious. Just be sure to bring it to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.
Freezing
If you want to keep the cake longer, wrap the completely cooled and frosted cake tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator to maintain the cake’s moisture and frosting texture without drying out.
Reheating
Since this is a cream cheese frosted cake, reheating is generally not recommended, as warm temperatures can cause the frosting to melt. Instead, let refrigerated or thawed slices sit at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes to bring back the creamy, soft texture before eating.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
Yes, you can substitute regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar as a quick buttermilk replacement. Let it sit for 5 minutes before adding to the batter. This helps maintain the tender crumb and slight tang that buttermilk provides.
How ripe should the bananas be?
For maximum moisture and sweetness, choose bananas that are heavily speckled with brown spots or fully brown. The riper, the better for that deep banana flavor in your Heavenly Banana Walnut Cream Cake Recipe.
Can I omit the walnuts?
Absolutely! If you have a nut allergy or simply prefer a nut-free version, you can skip the walnuts without compromising the cake’s moistness and flavor. Consider adding chocolate chips or dried fruit as an alternative for texture.
Can this cake be made gluten-free?
Yes, by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend designed for cakes, you can enjoy a gluten-free version. Just ensure your baking powder and other ingredients are also gluten-free.
Is this cake suitable for freezing after baking but before frosting?
Definitely! Baking the layers ahead of time and freezing them un-frosted is a great way to save time. Wrap the cooled layers well and thaw fully before applying frosting, and your Heavenly Banana Walnut Cream Cake Recipe will taste freshly made.
Final Thoughts
There’s truly something special about the Heavenly Banana Walnut Cream Cake Recipe that makes every slice feel like a celebration. Its balance of flavors, textures, and that luxurious cream cheese frosting create a dessert that’s as comforting as it is impressive. I can’t wait for you to try it out and make it a cherished recipe in your kitchen just like I have in mine.
Print
Heavenly Banana Walnut Cream Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes (plus cooling and frosting time)
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Heavenly Banana Walnut Cream Cake is a moist and flavorful layered dessert combining ripe mashed bananas, crunchy walnuts, and a rich cream cheese frosting. Perfect for gatherings or a special treat, this classic American cake offers a delightful balance of sweet banana goodness with a smooth, creamy topping, making it a memorable homemade banana dessert.
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2–3 bananas)
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
For the cream frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk (as needed for texture)
Optional garnish:
- additional chopped walnuts
- banana slices
- whipped cream
Instructions
- Prepare the baking pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon to ensure even distribution of these ingredients.
- Cream fats and sugars: In a large bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cake batter.
- Add eggs and flavoring: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition to incorporate air and ensure even mixing. Then mix in the vanilla extract and mashed ripe bananas until fully combined.
- Combine wet and dry mixtures: Alternate adding the flour mixture and buttermilk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Stir gently to combine after each addition without overmixing to keep the cake tender.
- Incorporate walnuts: Fold in the chopped walnuts evenly throughout the batter, adding a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
- Fill and bake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans, smoothing the tops for even baking. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cakes are done.
- Cool cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely, which is essential for the frosting to set well.
- Make the frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until the frosting becomes fluffy. Add heavy cream or milk one tablespoon at a time until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.
- Assemble and frost the cake: Once the cakes are completely cool, frost the top of one layer. Place the second layer on top, then frost the top and sides of the entire cake evenly.
- Garnish and chill: Decorate with additional chopped walnuts, banana slices, or whipped cream if desired. Chill the cake slightly before slicing to achieve clean cuts.
Notes
- For an extra moist cake, wrap the cooled cake layers in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight before frosting.
- Use very ripe bananas for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
