Banana Layer Cake

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share a commission.

Banana Layer Cake combines a moist and delicious banana cake made with brown butter and topped with an old-fashioned caramel icing. Make this with your over-ripe bananas and enjoy the best special occasion cake!

Side view of a naked layered banana cake on a silver cake stand.

Brown Butter Cake

This cake was inspired by my love of brown butter and the overabundance of bananas I purchase on a weekly basis. Why do they all get ripe at the same time? Sill question, right? Note to buy a few ripe bananas and a few partially green ones – next time.

What makes a banana cake better? I’m so glad you asked because our Old Fashioned Caramel Icing is a top recipe on the blog. We use it in several recipes, including our Mini Chocolate Bundt Cakes, Banana Donuts, and Banana Sheet Cake. I’m seeing a trend here.

This cake was dessert one night and then became part of breakfast with coffee for several mornings afterward. I’m a sucker for a sweet treat with my morning cold brew, so this was perfect.

Why This Recipe Works:

DEPTH OF FLAVOR – The brown butter taste in cakes is truly amazing. It’s next level and truly makes the best banana cake!
MOIST TEXURE – Similar to our Moist Banana Bread, the texture of this layered cake is perfection. Fresh bananas add to this dense cake.
BEST ICING – Our caramel icing is delicious on the layers of cake. We used a naked cake method of decorating but you could make extra icing and add a thick layer to the sides of the cake too.
GREAT FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS – This banana layer cake recipe is great for birthdays, holidays, or any special occasion. Your guests will swoon over the sweet banana flavor and the indulgent caramel frosting!

Side view of a slice of banana cake in front of the full cake.

Ingredients Used:

You’ll need mostly baking staples to make this easy banana cake recipe. If you’d rather use cake flour instead of all-purpose flour, you could try that as well.

Unsalted Butter
Sugar – You’ll need both granulated sugar and light brown sugar.
Bananas – Make sure you use overripe bananas.
Large Eggs
Buttermilk – If you don’t have buttermilk, simple make your own by combining milk with a splash of vinegar.
Sour Cream
Vanilla Extract
All-Purpose Flour
Baking Powder and Baking Soda
Kosher Salt
Cinnamon

For the caramel icing, you’ll need butter, brown sugar, milk, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.

Labeled ingredients for banana layer cake.

How to make our Favorite Banana Cake Recipe:

NOTE: I used a large bowl and hand mixer to make this banana cake. You could also use a large stand mixer with a paddle attachment instead.

Step 1
Brown the butter.

Place the butter in a small saucepan on the stove over medium heat. Heat butter until melted, and when it starts sizzling, start stirring with a spatula.
Keep the heat at medium, and stir gently with a rubber spatula, keeping the butter moving in the pan. After about 8-10 minutes, you should see some brown bits starting to form on the bottom. When you see this, stir for a few seconds longer and then remove the pan from the heat.
Pour the butter immediately into a small bowl. You’ll see the brown specks in the butter. Let the butter cool slightly before using in the cake.

Step 2
Puree the bananas. Add the overripe bananas to a mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer to puree the bananas. Measure to make sure you have around 1 2/3 cup of the puree, for best results.

Step 3
Combine wet ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the wet ingredients – the brown butter, pureed bananas, both sugars, eggs, buttermilk, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer to combine well.

Step 4
Add dry ingredients. Add the dry ingredients to the bowl – flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Mix again until just combined.

A bowl of the wet ingredients with dry on top.

Step 5
Add batter to pans. Spray two round 9-inch pans with cake spray. Then pour the batter into the pans equally into both pans, spreading to all sides of the edges.

Step 6
Bake cakes. Bake banana cakes in a preheated 350-degree oven until done and slightly golden brown on top. When finished, a toothpick should come out clean after inserting in the middle of the cakes.

Step 7
Make frosting.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar together until smooth. Add the milk and bring to a simmer.
Remove the pan from the heat and add the powdered sugar and vanilla and stir until well combined.
Let the icing sit for a bit to set up. If it gets too firm, add a few drops of milk. If it’s too thick, add a little more powdered sugar. Adjust the icing to your preference!

Step 8
Add icing to cooled cakes.

Place one of the round cakes on a cake stand. Add about half of the caramel icing on the first layer, smoothing evenly with an offset spatula to all sides of the cake.
Add the second cake on top of the first layer and add most of the remaining frosting on top. Use the rest to lightly spread around the sides of the cake. You won’t need much icing to add to the sides.

Add a sprinkle of kosher salt to the top of the finished cake.

A cake stand with a round cake with caramel frosting being added.

Step 9
Serve. Serve cake with a scoop of Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and a cup of coffee.

Other Delicious Cake Recipes:

The following are some other favorite desserts that you should try next time!

Overhead view of a partially sliced banana cake.

Storing and Freezing:

Storing Tip – Store the banana layer cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If stored in the refrigerator, let it come to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.
Freezing Tip – You can freeze the cake layers. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then foil, and store them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before assembling and frosting the cake.

Recipe FAQs:

How ripe should the bananas be for this cake?

The bananas should be very ripe, with brown spots on the peel. Overripe bananas are sweeter and easier to mash, which adds more flavor and moisture to the cake.

How should I prepare the cake pans for baking?

Grease the cake pans with butter or non-stick cooking spray or cake spray. You may also want to line the bottom with parchment paper to prevent the cake from sticking.

What kind of frosting goes well on banana cake?

We enjoy our caramel frosting on this layer cake. Cream cheese frosting is a also a popular choice for banana layer cake, as it complements the sweetness of the bananas. Alternatively, you can use vanilla buttercream or even chocolate ganache for a different flavor profile.

What is a naked cake?

A naked cake is a type of cake that features minimal frosting or icing, leaving the layers and fillings exposed. Its rustic appearance showcases the cake’s texture and often includes decorative elements like fresh fruit or flowers. We normally add a minimal amount of frosting on the outside of the cake.

Could I turn this recipe into banana cupcakes instead?

Yes, you could make delicious cupcakes if preferred. Just fill paper liners to about 2/3 full and bake for a shorter amount of time. Frost with your desired icing.

Closeup on a slice of brown butter layered banana cake.

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

xoxo ~Sue