Moist Banana Cake (Printable)

A moist banana cake bursting with ripe banana flavor, perfect for dessert or an afternoon snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

05 - 3 ripe bananas, mashed
06 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
07 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 1/4 cup milk
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Optional Add-ins

11 - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
12 - 1/2 cup chocolate chips

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the mashed bananas with sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and well incorporated.
04 - Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture until just combined. Do not overmix to keep the cake tender.
05 - If using, gently fold in the chopped nuts or chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
06 - Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula for an even surface.
07 - Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
08 - Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
09 - Slice and serve plain or with your favorite frosting such as cream cheese frosting.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The crumb stays incredibly moist for days, almost as if it is improving with time on the counter.
  • It comes together in one bowl with zero fancy equipment, which means less washing up and more eating.
02 -
  • Overmixing the batter is the fastest way to turn this tender cake into something dense and rubbery, so fold gently and stop early.
  • Underripe bananas will leave pale, flavorless pockets in the crumb, so wait until the peels are fully brown and spotted before mashing.
03 -
  • Freeze your overripe bananas whole in their peels whenever you have them, then thaw before using for the easiest baking prep imaginable.
  • A handful of chocolate chips pressed into the top of the batter just before baking creates a beautifully cracked, irresistible crust.

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