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Caramel Banana Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

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This Caramel Banana Layer Cake is a showstopping dessert featuring soft, moist banana cake layers, homemade gooey caramel sauce, and a tangy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for celebrations or a comforting weekend bake, it’s easy to make and guaranteed to impress.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 1/2 cups (310g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) neutral oil (canola or vegetable)
  • 1 1/4 cups (250g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (110g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240g) very ripe bananas, mashed (about 2 large bananas)
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) whole milk or buttermilk
  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar (for caramel sauce)
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) water (for caramel sauce)
  • 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter, cubed (for caramel sauce)
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream, room temperature (for caramel sauce)
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (for caramel sauce)
  • 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 3 1/2 cups (420g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • Pinch of salt (for frosting)
  • Extra caramel sauce, for drizzling (optional garnish)
  • Banana slices (tossed in lemon juice, optional garnish)
  • Chopped toasted pecans or walnuts (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch round cake pans, line with parchment paper, and dust with flour.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter, oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
  5. Fold in mashed bananas until just combined.
  6. Add half the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mix on low, then add milk or buttermilk. Add remaining dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
  7. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Smooth tops and bake for 26–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a cooling rack and remove parchment. Cool completely.
  9. For caramel sauce: In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves, then stop stirring and simmer until deep amber (5–7 minutes). Remove from heat, whisk in butter, then heavy cream and salt. Cool to room temperature.
  10. For cream cheese frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat until fluffy (2–3 minutes). Chill if too soft.
  11. To assemble: Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread with frosting, drizzle with caramel sauce. Top with second cake layer. Frost top and sides, drizzle extra caramel on top.
  12. Garnish with banana slices and chopped nuts if desired. Chill cake for 30 minutes before slicing for neat layers.

Notes

For best results, use very ripe bananas. Chill the cake before slicing for clean layers. If caramel hardens, gently rewarm. The cake can be made gluten-free or dairy-free with suitable substitutions. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze slices for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: caramel banana cake, banana layer cake, cream cheese frosting, homemade caramel, easy banana cake, celebration cake, moist banana cake, potluck dessert, birthday cake, comfort food dessert

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/caramel-banana-layer-cake-recipe-easy-homemade-cream-cheese-frosting/