Brown Butter Banana Cake (Printable)
Moist banana cake with nutty brown butter and thick cream cheese frosting for a decadent treat.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Brown Butter Banana Cake
01 - 3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter
02 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
03 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
04 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1 cup granulated sugar
07 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
08 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
09 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
10 - 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/4 cups)
11 - 1/2 cup sour cream
12 - 1/4 cup whole milk
→ Thick Cream Cheese Frosting
13 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
14 - 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
15 - 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
16 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
17 - Pinch of salt
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan and line with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides for easy removal.
02 - Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously as it foams and continue cooking until it turns a golden amber color with a fragrant nutty aroma, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
03 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly distributed.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the browned butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat until smooth and well incorporated.
05 - Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract, mashed bananas, sour cream, and whole milk until fully combined.
06 - Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Fold gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
07 - Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
08 - Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
09 - Beat softened cream cheese and butter together until creamy and smooth. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Continue beating until the frosting is thick, fluffy, and spreadable.
10 - Spread frosting generously and evenly over the cooled cake. Chill briefly for cleaner slicing if desired, then cut into squares and serve.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The brown butter adds a nutty, caramelized depth that regular butter simply cannot match.
- That thick cream cheese frosting is the kind you will catch yourself eating straight from the bowl with a spoon.
02 -
- Watch the butter like a hawk when browning because it goes from perfect to burnt in about thirty seconds of distraction.
- The cake must be completely cool before frosting or you will end up with a melty, sliding mess.
03 -
- Set a timer when browning butter because your nose will fool you into thinking nothing is happening until suddenly everything is happening at once.
- Sifting the powdered sugar is the difference between professional frosting and something that feels grainy on the tongue.