banana cake

Banana Cake Recipe

By Swasthi on April 18, 2023, Comments, Jump to Recipe

Banana Cake Recipe for beginners – This Banana Cake is the simplest to make, tastes delicious with a super light, moist and fluffy texture. This cake is baked time and again at my home & has been our family favourite for so many years. It is similar to those light and airy fancy cakes sold in the bakeries. This Banana Cake has a similar taste and texture of a Rich Butter Cake.

banana cake

If you do not have a oven, you can refer to my pressure cooker cake post and bake it. This recipe makes a large 8 by 8” cake that serves 16. If you are a newbie, simply halve the recipe and bake in a 6 inch pan. Since smaller cakes won’t last even for 2 days in my home I always bake in an 8 inch pan.

About Banana Cake

The best thing about this Banana Cake Recipe is you can make it with whole wheat flour or white wheat flour. Due to the addition of eggs the banana cake won’t have the taste of wheat flour in it.

Also this is made with butter as I personally don’t prefer using much oil in my cakes. Though the recipe is easy, there are some key points to focus to make the best banana cake. So read the tips and notes mentioned below.

There are 2 ways you can make this soft and delicious banana cake. The first method is to cream the butter and sugar until creamy. Then beat the eggs. Lastly flour is incorporated to make the batter. The second method is just to mix up the wet ingredients and then mix the dry ingredients.

The difference between these 2 is the texture. The first one yields a super light and airy cake whereas the second one makes a slightly denser cake.

Creaming butter and sugar requires some effort so it is best to use a hand or stand mixer. However you can also cream them with a whisk and this takes about 3 to 4 minutes depending on your effort.

But if want to skip this step completely then follow the second method which just requires you to mix the ingredients. When I first posted this recipe, I followed this method and made with whole wheat flour. I have the stepwise pictures of the same as well.

I have also shared a simple vanilla frosting in the recipe card which I sometimes make for this banana cake and butter cake.

Ingredients you need

Bananas : Use only ripe bananas. I use the large yellow bananas. You can use pureed or mashed bananas. With mashed bananas you will have those specks of banana fibers seen your cake (as visible in my pictures).

Flour: This recipe works with all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, white wheat flour, pastry flour and even with atta (chapati flour). But if you prefer to make a light bakery style cake, then do avoid flour to which extra bran has been added. Though this kind of flour works it makes the cake slightly dense.

You can also use a combination of whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour.

Butter: Use unsalted butter for this banana cake recipe. I feel the flavor of & the freshness of salted butter is not the same as unsalted. However if you still want to use it, then skip the salt mentioned in the recipe.

Baking powder: This recipe uses baking powder. It cannot be substituted with baking soda. Please recheck the expiry date of baking powder before using. Also use baking powder that has no aluminum content.

Spice: I usually add ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon to the batter as we love the warm & sweet flavors of cinnamon. The combo of ripe bananas and cinnamon goes really well. Use it only if you like the flavor.

Sugar: Some readers mentioned the cake being too sweet for their taste. However it depends on the bananas and the personal preferences. If you prefer your banana cake less sweeter then simply reduce the sugar by ¼ cup.

More Cake recipes
Eggless banana bread
Easy banana muffins
Eggless chocolate cake
Eggfree carrot cake
Eggless orange cake

banana cake recipe

How To Make Banana Cake (method 1)

1. Keep the eggs, butter and all other ingredients out of the fridge a little before you begin to work on the recipe. Use all of them at room temperature except butter that needs to be cold, yet soft and should hold its structure. Here are the quantities:

2 cups all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour. Fluff up the flour with a fork in the pack. Spoon it to the measuring cup and level it with a straight edged spoon or knife.
100 grams unsalted butter
2 eggs
½ cup milk + 2 .5 tablespoons (160 ML)
1 cup mashed bananas (use only ripe bananas)

2. Preheat the oven to 170 C or 340 F for at least 15 minutes. If you have a fan forced oven, then preheat to 160 C or 320 F.

3. Grease a 8 by 8 inch square cake pan and line with a parchment paper. If you do not have a parchment paper then simply dust some flour all over the cake pan including the sides. Shake well and invert it and dust off the excess in your kitchen sink.

4. Before you begin to make the batter, ensure the butter is soft but still cold. To check press the block of cold butter with your finger, it should dent slightly yet hold its solid structure and should not be too soft.  More importantly it has to be still cold. This is the kind of butter we want here. Add 1 cup sugar and 100 grams butter to a mixing bowl. You can also use your stand mixer.

beat butter and sugar to make banana cake batter

Make Batter

5. Beat them together until light, pale and fluffy. When it is done, the whole mixture will look light in color. Sugar will not be dissolved at this stage. If you live in a hot place and feel your butter is about to melt then simply keep the bowl in the fridge for a while. Then continue to beat. It is important for the butter not to melt at this stage.

creamed butter and sugar in a bowl

6. Now add 2 teaspoons vanilla and 1 egg. Mix gently until combined and then beat until well incorporated & creamy.

add one egg at a time

7. Then add the other egg and beat just until creamy.

add another egg to make banana cake batter

8. This is the texture we want and do not over beat at this stage.

creamy butter sugar and eggs in a bowl to make banana cake batter

9. Place a sieve over the mixing bowl. Add 2 cups wheat flour or all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt & 2½ teaspoons baking powder. Gently mix them well first with a spoon. Then sieve them to the creamed butter and egg mixture.

add flour, salt and baking soda

10. Mix it gently with the whisk. Then pour ¼ cup milk and mix gently. Next add another ¼ cup milk.

pour milk to make the banana cake batter

11. Mix just until well combined on a medium speed. You will need another 2.5 tablespoons milk while mixing. Add that as well. Avoid over mixing. Scrape the sides and bottom. Check if everything is well combined.

beat batter on a medium speed

12. Then add 1 cup mashed bananas.

pour mashed banana to make cake batter

13. Mix again until well combined. Avoid over mixing.

mixing just until combined

Bake Banana Cake

14. Pour this to the lined caked tray. Tap the tray to the counter a few times to release air bubbles.

transfer cake batter to pan

15. Bake for 25 to 30 mins if using a 8 by 8 square pan. Adjust the timing slightly if needed. If using a different size pan, then the timings vary. A skewer/ tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean when the cake is done. If you see moist crumbs on the tester, you may bake for a little longer.

tester comes out clean from a baked banana cake

16. Place the cake pan on a wired rack and cool for 10 mins so the cake doesn’t sweat at the bottom. Then invert the pan gently to remove the cake.

cool on a wired rack

Cool completely before slicing.

banana cake recipe

Method 2 – Without Creaming

I halve the recipe here so even beginners can try it.

Preheat the oven to 170 C for at least 15 minutes. Grease a 6 inch pan or 8 x 4 x 2.5 inches loaf pan. Line it with a parchment paper or sprinkle some flour all over evenly. Dust off the excess in your kitchen sink.

1. Sieve together 1 cup wheat flour (120 grams), ¼ teaspoon sea salt (or pink salt) and 1¼ teaspoon baking powder. Sieve them thrice so the banana cake comes out light.

dry ingredients in a sieve

2. Ensure all the ingredients are at room temperature. Melt ¼ cup butter to a liquid state. Crack open the 1 egg to a bowl and beat with a fork so you have a uniform mixture. Mash bananas to make ½ cup. Measure ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons milk.

wet ingredients at room temperature

3. To a mixing bowl, add mashed bananas, beaten egg, melted butter, milk, 6 to 8 tablespoons ( ½ cup) sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix all of them.

mixing wet ingredients

4. Then add flour in 2 batches mixing just until combined.

addition of flour

5. You should have a uniform batter with no streaks of flour in it. Use a spatula to clean out the sides of the bowl while you mix. Do not over mix as the cake can end up being gluey.

banana cake batter in a bowl

6. Transfer this to the prepared pan. Tap the pan to the kitchen counter.

pour banana cake batter to pan

7. Bake at 170 C for 30 mins if using a 6 inch pan, if using a loaf pan (8x4x2.5 inches) then bake for about 35 to 36 minutes. When done, a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. If the skewer comes out with batter or wet mixture, bake it a little longer until it comes out clean. You need to adjust the baking temperature depending on the bakeware and oven.

baked banana cake cooling on the counter

Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes and then remove it to a wired rack. Cool completely before slicing. Avoid slicing hot banana cake.

Pro Tips & Notes

Creaming butter and sugar: This most important step is to beat the butter and sugar right to a creamy consistency as this helps in making the cake light. To beat it right, the temperature and texture of the butter is important. It has to be cold, yet soft and hold shape. They are creamed together to incorporate air.

If your butter is not cold then it will begin to melt & the air bubbles will collapse. If it is too cold and firm, then you won’t be able to incorporate air into it.

Avoid overmixing and just mix until well combined at every step. Overmixing will lead to flat cakes. The cake may rise and then sink.

Measure flour correctly by following the 3 steps – fluff up the flour, spoon it to the cup and lastly level it. This gives accurate results.

Pan size: Most time I make this cake in a 8 inch square pan. On occasions when I did not have enough bananas, I cut down the ingredients to half and bake in a 6 inch pan. It takes the same time even if you bake in a 6 inch pan.

Faqs

What is the difference between a banana cake and a banana bread?

Banana cake is lighter and is made much similar to the traditional butter cake by creaming butter and sugar. But banana bread is denser in texture as there is no creaming involved. The dry ingredients are simply incorporated into the wet ingredients.

How to substitute eggs in banana cake?

Use ¼ cup buttermilk or homemade yogurt for every egg in the recipe. Avoid using Greek yogurt as it is too thick to use as a substitute.

Why does banana cake sink?

Using too much of leavening agents can cause the cake to sink. The cake rises a lot due to the excess leavening and then it collapses so it sinks.

Can I use whole wheat flour to make banana cake?

Yes. This banana cake recipe works with whole wheat flour or even with atta (chapati flour)

Related Recipes

Recipe Card

banana cake recipe

Banana Cake Recipe

Soft, moist & fluffy banana cake – Easy to make and tastes delicious. Serve it with milk or as a snack with some melted chocolate drizzled over it.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Jump to Comments

For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Servings16
AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )

  • 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour or wheat flour (refer notes)
  • 2 ½ teaspoons (12.5 g) baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt (or ⅓ teaspoon table salt)
  • 1 cup (200 grams) fine sugar (prefer organic)
  • 100 grams (3.53 oz) unsalted butter (soft & cold)
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons (10 ml) vanilla extract
  • 160 ml milk
  • 1 cup ripe banana mashed


Instructions

Preparation

  • Bring all the ingredients to room temperature except butter before you begin to prepare the batter.
  • Butter has to be cold, yet soft and should hold its structure. To check press the block of cold butter with your finger, it should dent slightly yet hold its solid structure and should not be too soft. 
  • Grease a 8 by 8 inch cake tray and line with parchment paper. If you do not have a parchment paper, you may sprinkle flour all over the tray including the sides. Invert and dust off the excess in your kitchen sink.
  • Preheat the oven to 170 C or 340 F for at least 15 minutes. If you have a fan forced oven then preheat to 160 C or 320 F.
  • Fluff up the flour in the jar/ pack with a fork. Then spoon it to the measuring cup and level it with a knife or a straight edged spoon. Sieve flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

How To Make Banana Cake

  • Make sure butter is soft but still cold before this step. Add butter and sugar to a mixing bowl. Using a whisk, beat together until light, pale & fluffy.
  • Pour vanilla extract and add 1 egg at a time and beat just until creamy.
  • Add the other egg and beat again just until creamy.
  • Next add the sieved flour, salt and baking powder. Mix it gently.
  • Adding milk in 2 batches, mix the flour on a medium speed 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.
  • Place the cake pan on a wired rack and cool for 10 minutes. Then invert the banana cake on the wire rack.
  • Cool completely before slicing. Serve banana cake plain with milk or tea.


Notes

This cake works with 
  • whole wheat flour (slightly dense but delicious)
  • white whole wheat flour or whole wheat pastry flour.
  • A combination of any of the above flours in any proportions.
Simple Vanilla butter frosting
  • 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.

Video

NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)

Nutrition Facts
Banana Cake Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 123 Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Fat 6g9%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 34mg11%
Sodium 129mg6%
Potassium 201mg6%
Carbohydrates 14g5%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 205IU4%
Vitamin C 1.2mg1%
Calcium 53mg5%
Iron 0.7mg4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @SwasthisRecipes or tag #swasthisrecipes!

© Swasthi’s Recipes

This recipe was first published in December 2015. Updated and republished in January 2021.

Banana Cake Recipe

About Swasthi

I’m Swasthi Shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthi’s Recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills. More about me

Follow Swasthi’s Recipes

Comments

Recipe Rating




284 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

5 stars
I double the recipe made 9×13 and a 3 in. individual springform pan. I tweaked the process 🤏🏼, incorporated/beat the bananas🍌 in the batter before adding milk🥛 and flour, I also added a pinch of bak.soda when I beat/mashed the bananas. In the oven now might take longer than 35 minutes for a 9×13 pan, keeping my eye 👁on it😁

5 stars
This recipe was such a breeze and I’m so glad it exists!! I have been wanting to get into baking but a lot of the content that comes up are by bakers from other countries and their ingredient listings are king of hard to get by. This was so simple and lovely. Thank you Swasthi for sharing this with us!!

5 stars
I tried it and the cake is Super !
I have baked it in 2 littles round plate to make a little floor cake with vanilla frosting and it was delicious !! Mother in law was suspicious about the banana but she loved it finally. I was just confuse with the milk since i was in a hurry , i had jump to the recipe and couldn’t know the milk was to add in the premice, so i add it in the end…

So well explained recipe Swasthi!I’m impressed. You are doing an amazing job.I’ll try it ,hope it comes out the same as I see in the picture.Thanks for sharing 😊

What does the grams means.

Hello…I just want to bake cake and biscuits for my kids… don’t know where to start and which oven to buy for my kitchen…can you please guide me mam…

I would like to bake in a 9 x 13 inch pan, what are the quantities and baking time?

5 stars
This banana cake is AMAZING! I’m obsessed with it. It is perfect – so moist and so easy to make. Tastes delicious and everyone is enjoying it.

5 stars
Wonderful recipe. I followed it exactly and baked it in a stainless steel pan with lid on. So good and moist!

I really liked yr recipe and I’m looking forward on baking this banana cake tomorrow

5 stars
I make this banana cake often for my 2 year old boy. It turns out delicious and he loves it. I reduce the sugar a bit & increase milk slightly because the bananas I use are really sweet. Thank you for the wonderful recipe.

Hi swasthi,
I use metric and it says 240g. I thought it may have been an error and I doubled that for 2 cups. However it was too much flour. Should I just use 240g?

It was great

5 stars
I made this cake thrice so far. First time I used frozen cold banana puree. It ruined the batter. Next time I was careful enough and the cake turned out great.

5 stars
Fantastic Recipe. Delicate crumb and lovely flavor. I would add ground cinnamon next time. Thank you

5 stars
You are the best.
Thanks ?

5 stars
I have tried several banana cake recipes but yours is the best! Thank you

5 stars
Amazing banana cake!! Added a cup of walnuts. Absolutely delicious!

5 stars
Thank you. Tried it and came out excellent in the first try. IMO you should never reduce sugar in a cake recipe so I followed it exactly. The results were great.

5 stars
This banana cake turned out so good. My bananas were too sweet so I reduced the sugar. It still came out extremely well. Thank you.

5 stars
Thank you for the banana cake recipe. It was very light & delicious. I tried it on the higher of the two temps given, my convection bake seems to be cooler than my regular bake, but I still ended up having to turn it up to 350°F & cook it an extra 20 minutes. I checked oven temp & it was correct. I will definitely be keeping this recipe! Even if it needs to cook a bit longer it was so tender with a lovely texture!