The Best Banana Cake Recipe

Ingredients

• ¾ cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
• ¾ cup avocado, canola or vegetable oil
• 1 cup light or dark brown sugar
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 cups well-mashed ripe bananas (this is typically 4 bananas)
• 2 large eggs (room temperature preferred)
• ¼ cup buttermilk
• 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 Tablespoon heavy cream
• ½ cup chopped walnuts (for topping, optional)

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch pan or spray with baking spray.
2. In a stand mixer, beat butter and both sugars together until light and fluffy.
3. Mix in the oil until combined.
4. Stir in the mashed bananas.
5. Add eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla; mix until combined.
6. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
7. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
8. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake 45-55 minutes, until a toothpick comes out mostly clean. Let cool completely before frosting.
9. For the frosting, beat cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and salt together until creamy.
10. With mixer on low, gradually add powdered sugar until fully incorporated.
11. Add heavy cream and beat on high for about 30 seconds until fluffy.
12. Spread frosting over the cooled cake, top with chopped walnuts if desired, then slice and serve.