Classic Banana Cake With Caramel Frosting Recipes

THE BEST BANANA CAKE I'VE EVER HAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9×13 inch pan.
• Mash the bananas. I usually just use my mixer for this! Set mashed bananas aside.
• Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together. Set aside.
• Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed until smooth and creamy - about 1 minute. Add both sugars and beat on high speed for 2 minutes until creamed together. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Add the eggs and the vanilla. Beat on medium-high speed until combined, then beat in the mashed bananas. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl as needed. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in three additions alternating with the buttermilk and mixing each addition just until incorporated. Do not overmix. The batter will be slightly thick and a few lumps is OK.
• Spread batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes. Baking times vary, so keep an eye on yours. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If you find the top of the cake is browning too quickly in the oven, loosely cover it with aluminum foil.
• Remove the cake from the oven and set on a wire rack. Allow to cool completely. After about 45 minutes, I usually place it in the refrigerator to speed things up.
• In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter together on high speed until smooth and creamy. Add 3 cups confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then switch to high speed and beat for 2 minutes. If you want the frosting a little thicker, add the extra 1/4 cup of confectioners sugar (I add it). Spread the frosting on the cooled cake. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving. This helps sets the frosting and makes cutting easier.
• Cover leftover cake tightly and store in the refrigerator for 5 days.

CLASSIC BANANA CAKE WITH CARAMEL FROSTING

Steps:

• 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour four 9 inch cake pans. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl and whisk together.
• 2. In a separate large mixing bowl combine butter and sugar and beat well. Add eggs one at a time mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla. Beat until mixture is light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
• 3. Add half the flour and half the sour cream and with mixer on lowest speed beat just until flour and sour cream disappear into the batter. Add the rest of the flour and sour cream and mix in the same way as before. Stir in bananas with a large spatula.
• 4. Divide the batter evenly between the four cake pans. Bake for 30 minutes or until cakes are golden brown and toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the middle. Cool in pans on wire rack for about 10 minutes. Turn out of pan onto wire rack and let cool completely before frosting.
• 5. To make frosting In a medium saucepan combine butter, milk and brown sugar. Over medium low heat bring mixture to a boil stirring occasionally. Continue to gently boil, stirring constantly, until mixture turns a golden amber color. This will take a while, usually about 15 to 20 minutes. Be patient, you can do it. Remove from heat and pour into a large mixing bowl. Let cool completely. When cool add confectioners sugar a little at a time mixing thoroughly until you have incorporated all the confectioners sugar. Mixture should be of frosting consistency.
• 6. Place one layer top side down on a plate and frost top and side. Cover with second layer top side up, frost top and sides. Continue with the other 2 layers in the same way, frosting top and sides between each layer. Place whole pecans around the perimeter on top of cake to make it look pretty and then pour yourself a big glass of milk and a large piece of cake and enjoy.