Velvety Banana Walnut Cake Recipe

Cozy Banana Walnut Cake Recipe for Sweet Moments

Dessert lovers rejoice as this incredible banana walnut delight cake recipe promises pure indulgence with every single bite.

Rich, moist, and bursting with natural sweetness, this cake blends ripe bananas and crunchy walnuts into a heavenly treat.

The aroma of freshly baked goodness will fill your kitchen with warmth and comfort.

Perfectly balanced flavors dance together, creating a harmonious blend of textures that melt in your mouth.

Walnuts add a delightful crunch, complementing the soft, tender banana base.

Each slice tells a story of simple ingredients transformed into something extraordinary.

Dive into this delectable dessert that’s sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 393 kcal

Servings: 13

Banana Walnut Cake Ingredients You’ll Need

For Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides the foundational structure for a light, tender cake crumb with perfect texture.
  • Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise and creates a soft, airy consistency that melts in your mouth.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cake.
For Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Adds rich, creamy flavor and ensures a moist, luxurious cake texture.
  • Sugar: Delivers natural sweetness and helps create a golden-brown exterior.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the cake's smooth, velvety structure.
  • Sour Cream: Introduces tangy moisture and helps create an incredibly tender crumb.
  • Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, aromatic depth to the cake's flavor profile.
For Flavor and Texture Enhancers:
  • Bananas: Provide natural sweetness, moisture, and a delightful fruity essence to the cake.
  • Walnuts: Add a satisfying crunch and nutty undertone that complements the banana's softness.

Tools to Bake Banana Walnut Cake Perfectly

  • Mixing Bowls: Medium and large sizes for dry and wet ingredients.
  • Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: Essential for beating butter, sugar, and eggs to a light, fluffy consistency.
  • Whisk: Perfect for combining dry ingredients smoothly.
  • 9-inch Round Cake Pans (2): Specifically sized for even baking and cake layers.
  • Toothpick: Crucial for checking cake doneness.
  • Spatula: Helps fold walnuts and smooth batter evenly.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
  • Cooling Rack: Allows cakes to cool evenly after baking.
  • Serving Plate: For presenting the final cake.

Making Banana Walnut Cake Without Trouble

  • Oven Preparation

Warm up the oven to a cozy temperature and get your baking pans ready with a light coating of grease.

  • Banana Softness

Mash ripe bananas into a creamy texture, releasing their sweet, natural goodness.

  • Mixing Magic

Blend butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud-like mixture. Gently introduce eggs, creating a silky smooth base.

  • Flavor Fusion

Stir in sour cream and vanilla, then fold in the mashed bananas with a gentle touch.

  • Dry Ingredient Dance

Carefully combine flour mixture into the wet ingredients, blending just until everything comes together beautifully.

  • Nutty Excitement

Sprinkle chopped walnuts throughout the batter, adding a delightful crunch and earthy flavor.

  • Baking Bliss

Pour the batter into prepared pans, spreading evenly, then slide into the warm oven.

  • Golden Perfection

Bake until the cake turns a gorgeous golden brown and passes the toothpick test.

  • Cooling Moment

Let the cakes rest and cool completely, allowing flavors to settle and strengthen.

  • Creamy Assembly

Layer the cake with vanilla custard, creating a dreamy, smooth filling between cake layers.

  • Final Flourish

Drizzle extra custard on top and garnish with fresh banana slices and a sprinkle of walnuts.

Tips for Boosting the Banana Walnut Flavor

  • Nutty Banana Boost: Toast walnuts in a dry skillet before adding to the batter for an enhanced, deeper flavor that brings out their rich, earthy notes.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Wrap unfrosted cake layers in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to two days, or freeze for three weeks to simplify your baking prep.
  • Moisture Mastery: Use overripe, almost blackened bananas for maximum sweetness and moisture – they'll create an incredibly tender cake texture that melts in your mouth.
  • Flavor Flex: Swap out walnuts for pecans or almonds, or add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for a warm, spicy undertone that complements the banana's natural sweetness.
  • Dairy Dance: For a lighter version, replace sour cream with Greek yogurt, which maintains moisture while reducing overall fat content without sacrificing the cake's delightful richness.

Serving Banana Walnut Cake at Any Event

  • Delightful Dessert Companion: Serve a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream alongside each slice to enhance the cake's rich, warm flavors.
  • Beverage Bliss: Pair this cake with a steaming mug of chai tea or a smooth caramel latte to complement the nutty and sweet banana notes.
  • Elegant Presentation: Dust the cake with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar and arrange fresh mint leaves for a touch of sophistication that makes the dessert look professionally crafted.
  • Seasonal Twist: During summer, add a dollop of whipped cream and fresh berries to bring a cool, fruity contrast to the dense, comforting cake texture.

Keeping Banana Walnut Cake Moist After Baking

  • Cake Keeper's Corner: Smart Storage Solutions
  • Cool Cake Strategy: Let the banana walnut cake completely cool to room temperature before storing, preventing moisture buildup and maintaining delightful texture.
  • Refrigeration Rescue: Wrap cake tightly in plastic wrap or place inside an airtight container, keeping fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator without losing its delectable flavor profile.
  • Freezing Friendly Approach: Slice cake into individual portions, wrap each section separately in plastic wrap, then place inside freezer-safe bags, lasting up to 2 months for quick dessert moments.
  • Counter Confidence: When storing at room temperature, cover cake with a clean kitchen towel in a cool, dry spot, consuming within 2 days for optimal taste and softness.
Print
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Velvety Banana Walnut Cake Recipe

Velvety Banana Walnut Cake Recipe


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4.6 from 12 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Rich banana walnut delight cake brings together classic comfort and nutty sophistication from Southern kitchens. Moist banana layers nestled with crunchy walnuts create a memorable dessert for family gatherings and sweet celebrations you won’t forget.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
  • 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsps baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
  • 2 tsps vanilla extract
  • 2 cups vanilla custard
  • 2 bananas, sliced
  • ½ cup walnuts

Instructions

  1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease two round cake pans, ensuring even coating for smooth cake release.
  2. Dry Ingredient Blend: Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined, creating a uniform dry mixture.
  3. Butter Mixture Creation: Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, developing a smooth, aerated base for the cake.
  4. Wet Ingredient Integration: Add eggs one at a time, mixing completely between additions, then incorporate sour cream and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes homogeneous.
  5. Banana Incorporation: Fold mashed bananas into the wet ingredients, ensuring even distribution throughout the batter.
  6. Batter Finalization: Gently combine dry ingredients with wet mixture, stirring minimally to prevent overmixing, then fold in chopped walnuts for added texture and flavor.
  7. Baking Process: Divide batter evenly between prepared pans, smoothing surfaces, and bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Cooling and Assembly: Allow cakes to cool completely in pans, then remove and level if necessary; place first layer on serving plate and spread vanilla custard across the surface.
  9. Final Decoration: Position second cake layer, drizzle remaining custard over the entire cake, and garnish with fresh banana slices and additional walnuts for a visually appealing and delectable finish.

Notes

  • Prevent Overmixing: Stir dry and wet ingredients until just combined to maintain a tender, light cake texture.
  • Banana Ripeness Matters: Use overripe, soft bananas with dark spots for maximum sweetness and moisture.
  • Temperature Control: Allow ingredients like eggs and butter to reach room temperature for smoother batter and even baking.
  • Toothpick Test Precision: Check cake doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean with minimal crumbs.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 393
  • Sugar: 29 g
  • Sodium: 137 mg
  • Fat: 21 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 44 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 93 mg
Jessica Martin

Jessica Martin

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography​, Seasonal and Local Ingredients​, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine​, Culinary Education​

Education

Portland Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and food safety. Gained hands-on experience in preparing diverse cuisines and understanding flavor profiles

Oregon Culinary Institute

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized education in baking fundamentals, pastry arts, and dessert presentation. Emphasized creativity and precision in crafting baked goods.​

Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking. 

Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes. 

Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.

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