BANANA CREAM CAKE WITH CARAMEL (BANOFFEE CAKE)

This Ultimate Banana Cream Cake with Caramel (Banoffee Cake) is a showstopper that's easy and simple to make and caters to various dietary needs, including dairy-free and gluten-free options. Whether it's a birthday celebration or a simple gathering, this moist cake is sure to impress. 

It's cake time 🎉🍰💛

There's something incredibly comforting about the sweet, luscious combination of bananas and cream.

This banana cake is moist with a soft and tender crumb. Instead of traditional cream cheese frosting, I've used caramel and cream to get you a show-stopping Banoffee cake.

Some recipes to try next time

Jump to:

• Some recipes to try next time
• ❤️ Why this recipe works
• What is banoffee?
• 🥄 Ingredients needed
• TO DECORATE
• 👩🏼‍🍳 How to make a banana cream cake
• 📝 Tips and tricks
• ❓FAQS
• Make-ahead and Storage

This blog post walks you through an easy and optional dairy-free, gluten-free, and eggless banana cream cake recipe.

Your guests won't believe it's vegan, and you'll be hailed as the banana cake maestro.

Here are a few egg-free, vegan cakes that you will love: my Chai Cake, Vegan Vanilla Sponge Tray Bake, Pink Cake, or egg-free, vegan Protein Pancakes.

Want more information on bananas? Check this post out.

❤️ Why this recipe works

• Simple ingredients 

• Easy to adapt

• Easy one-bowl recipe

• Full of flavors 

• This cake is great for birthdays, special occasions and celebrations. 

What is banoffee?

Banoffee is a type of dessert that originated in England. The name "banoffee" consists of two main ingredients: bananas and toffee. The dessert typically consists of a crumbled biscuit or pastry base, a layer of toffee or caramel, sliced bananas, whipped cream, and sometimes chocolate shavings or grated chocolate on top. It's known for its rich, sweet, and indulgent flavors.

🥄 Ingredients needed

Bananas: The riper, the better

Milk: Milk of choice. Plant-based or regular milk.

Neutral-flavored oil: I use light olive oil, but organic vegetable oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, or grapeseed oil are great options.

White vinegar or apple cider vinegar: This helps the cake rise.

Vanilla extract adds more flavor 

All-purpose flour

Baking soda

Baking powder

Salt 

Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon 

Pecan or walnuts (optional)

TO DECORATE

Whipped cream: For a vegan or dairy-free alternative, use whipped coconut cream. To make whipped coconut cream, refrigerate a can of full-fat coconut milk overnight. Then, scoop out the solidified coconut cream from the top of the can (leaving behind the liquid) and whip it with a mixer until light and fluffy. You can sweeten the whipped coconut cream with a bit of powdered sugar or a sweetener of your choice.

Caramel: Straight out of a can. Remember to use dairy-free caramel if vegan. 

Optional- Fresh or dried bananas to decorate, crushed nuts such as walnuts, pecans, or even chocolate chips. 

👩🏼‍🍳 How to make a banana cream cake

You can find the complete printable recipe below.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C)

• Grease or line a 9x13-inch pan with parchment paper.

1. Mix the Wet Ingredients:

Mashed banana, milk, oil, vinegar, vanilla extract and sugar.

2. Add the Dry Ingredients:

• Gradually mix the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nuts. (Don't overmix. Please only stir until all of the ingredients have been combined. If you stir the batter for too long, the cake will not be fluffy and will not rise well.)

3. Bake:

• Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Let the cake layers cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Assemble the Cake:

• Place the cake on your serving plate. Make sure it is 100% cool.
• Spread a layer of caramel sauce over the top of the cake. 
• Next, add whipped cream. 
• Top the cake with crushed walnuts and sliced banana. 

Serve immediately and Enjoy

📝 Tips and tricks

Ripe Bananas: Use very ripe bananas for the best flavor and sweetness. The more brown spots on the bananas, the better.

Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Use both to ensure the cake rises properly. Baking soda also helps with browning.

Mash Bananas Properly: Mash the bananas thoroughly with a fork or potato masher to eliminate lumps. You want a smooth banana puree.

Don't Overmix: Once you add the dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can result in a tough cake.

Properly Grease and Optional to Flour the Pan: Grease your cake pan with butter or cooking spray, then dust it with flour. This ensures the cake doesn't stick.

Toothpick Test: Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.

Cool Properly: Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps prevent the cake from breaking apart.

❓FAQS

Can I make banana cupcakes? 

You sure can! Transfer the batter to cupcake liners and reduce the cooking time to about 18 minutes. Remember to keep an eye on them, as all ovens cook differently.

 

How do I prevent the sliced bananas from turning brown when decorating the cake?

To prevent the bananas from browning too quickly, you can brush them with a mixture of lemon juice and water or dip them in pineapple juice before adding them to the cake. Additionally, assemble the cake just before serving to minimize exposure to air.

Can I make this banoffee cake gluten-free?

Replace regular wheat flour with a gluten-free flour blend in the cake batter. Many commercially available gluten-free flour blends specifically formulated for baking contain rice flour, tapioca flour, potato starch, and other gluten-free flours. Be sure to use a blend suitable for baking cakes.

Can I make this banoffee vegan/dairy-free?

Yes, you can make a vegan and dairy-free version of banoffee cake by making a few substitutions. Here's how:

Use non-dairy milk (such as almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk),

Choose a dairy-free toffee (caramel) sauce.

Instead of traditional whipped cream, use whipped coconut cream as a dairy-free alternative.

Make-ahead and Storage

Make-ahead

You can make the banana cake the day before and assemble it with caramel and cream just before serving.

Storage

The baked cake (without cream and caramel topping) will keep for a day or two in an airtight container at room temperature or 4-5 days in the fridge. Eating it within a day or two is best if it is covered in cream and caramel. 

Freezing

Yes, banana cake can be frozen for longer-term storage. Freezing banana cake is a great way to preserve and enjoy its freshness later. Here's how to freeze banana cake properly:

1. Cool the Cake: Allow the banana cake to cool completely at room temperature before freezing it. If you try to freeze it while it's still warm, it will become soggy.
2. Wrap the Cake: Wrap the cake tightly to prevent freezer burn and maintain moisture. You have a few options:
Plastic Wrap: First, wrap the cake in plastic to create an airtight seal. Make sure it's wrapped snugly to minimize contact with air.
Aluminum Foil: After wrapping it in plastic, you can further protect the cake using aluminum foil.
Freezer Bags: Place the wrapped cake in a freezer-safe resealable plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible from the bag before sealing it.
3. Label and Date: Write the date on the packaging so you can keep track of how long it's been in the freezer. Banana cake can be stored in the freezer for 2-3 months.
4. Freeze: Place the wrapped cake in the freezer. Ideally, lay it flat in the freezer so it doesn't get squished or lose shape.
5. Thawing and Serving:
To thaw the frozen banana cake, transfer it to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight or for several hours.
If you want to serve it more quickly, you can use the defrost function on your microwave in short, low-power bursts, but be careful not to overheat it and dry it out.
Once thawed, you can enjoy the banana cake as is or frost it if you prefer.
Remember that while freezing can help preserve the cake, the texture and moisture may change slightly upon thawing. Nevertheless, when done properly, frozen banana cake can still be quite delicious and convenient for enjoying at a later date.

Did you make this recipe? Let me know what you think by leaving a ★★★★★ star rating & comment below. It genuinely helps me & I really appreciate your support! Nikki 💚 

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