Ingredients
- Cake:
- 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 3 cups flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup softened butter
- 2 1/8 cups sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
- Frosting:
- 1/2 cup softened butter
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 1/2 cups icing sugar
- Optional: chopped walnuts or decorative hearts for topping
Instructions
- Preparation:
- Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C).
- Grease and flour a 9 x 13-inch baking pan.
- Making the Cake Batter:
- In a small bowl, combine the mashed bananas with lemon juice and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat the eggs into the butter mixture one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
- Alternately mix in the flour mixture and buttermilk, starting and ending with the flour.
- Fold in the banana mixture.
- Baking:
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about one hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove the cake from the oven and place it directly into the freezer for 45 minutes to enhance its moisture.
- Making the Frosting:
- Cream together the butter and cream cheese until smooth.
- Beat in the vanilla, then gradually add the icing sugar, mixing on low speed until combined, then on high until the frosting is smooth.
- Finishing Touches:
- Spread the frosting over the cooled cake.
- If desired, sprinkle chopped walnuts or place decorative hearts on top for a charming finish.
Notes
Enjoy this heavenly banana cake with friends and family, or keep it all to yourself—we won’t tell!