Change up what you do with those over ripe brown bananas by making this delicious banana cake with brown butter frosting!

Are you like me and you buy bananas with the intent of eating them but then you’re left with brown over ripe bananas that you have to find something to do with? Oh, ha, great! I’m glad I’m not the only one! Therefore this recipe for banana cake with brown butter frosting is one of my go to recipes to use up those ripe bananas. This recipe also gets away from that standard banana bread and its the perfect recipe to share!

6 squares of banana cake on brown parchment paper on top of a white table with a blue and white checkered tablecloth covering half the table

Why You Will Love This Banana Cake Recipe

Fluffy and Moist: This banana cake is one of the most moist and cakes I’ve ever had. Furthermore the crunchy nuts and melty chocolate are a fantastic opposite to the soft cake.

They’ll use up your bananas I often have bananas that go over ripe besides sometimes you just have too many frozen. So use them up and make this delicious cake

They are a crowd favorite! I have brought these to many gatherings over the years moreover they get eaten up and complimented every time!

They are so fast and simple! If you’ve got some over ripe bananas you’ve likely got everything else needed for this cake!

They are just so delicious! It hard to not eat more than one piece. The brown butter frosting really sets them over the top!

square of banana cake on a white plate with a fork and a tall glass of milk to the right on top of a white table with a blue and white checkered table cloth covering half the table

Ingredients for Banana Cake

Butter some for the cake and some to brown for the frosting

Sugar

Sour Cream makes the cake moist

Eggs room temperature is best

Bananas the more ripe the bananas the sweeter the cake will be

Vanilla homemade or store bought

Flour all purpose flour is best for this recipe

Baking Soda

Salt Redmond Real Salt is my favorite

Walnuts these are the best nuts because they are so soft

Chocolate Chips I recommend using semi sweet chocolate chips

Powdered Sugar for the frosting

Heavy Cream you can also use milk if you don’t have heavy cream, the frosting will just be thinner

Equipment

baking sheets

unbleached parchment paper

kitchen aid stand mixer

rubber spatula

side view of banana cake slices on brown parchment paper on top of a blue and white checkered tablecloth

FAQ

Can I use plain yogurt instead of sour cream? You sure can. I would recommend a greek yogurt as its slightly thicker but the substitution of yogurt for sour cream is totally fine.

Can I omit the nuts and chocolate chips! You sure can. Although I would recommend keeping them as the crunchiness of the nuts and the bitter chocolate add the perfect balance to the sweet banana flavor!

Can I add fresh bananas to the cake? Yes! I love doing this if I have some. Adding a banana that isn’t over ripe to the batter will leave delicious chunks of banana through out the cake.

a slice of banana cake on a white plate with a close up shot of a piece of it on a fork with a glass of milk in the background on top of a white table with a blue and white checkered table cloth covering half of it

How to Make This Banana Cake

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F

Grease 15×10 sheet pan with butter or oil

In a stand mixer beat the sugar, sour cream, softened butter, and eggs on low until creamy

Then add the bananas and vanilla and mix until combined

Add the flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients and beat on medium speed for 1 minute

Add the chopped nuts and chocolate chips and mix on low for 15 seconds

Pour batter into greased sheet pan and spread evenly

Bake for 20-25 minutes until top is slightly browned

While cake is baking make the frosting by browning the butter in a large pot over medium heat

Heat butter until boiling. Keep an eye on it as the butter will brown quickly. You will want to stir it around to see the bottom of the pan as there will be a layer of foam on top

Once browned remove the pot from the heat and add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream.

You can mix it by hand but I prefer to use a hand held mixer or even use my stand mixer again to get it fluffy.

Yield: 24

Banana Cake with Brown Butter Frosting

This banana cake is so moist and soft. The brown butter frosting adds nuttiness and balances the banana flavor perfectly!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

1 1/2 C Sugar
1 C Sour Cream
1/2 C Butter, softened
2 Eggs, room temp
3 or 4 Ripe Bananas
2 t Vanilla
2 C Flour
1 t Baking Soda
1 t Salt
1/2 C Chopped Walnuts
1/2 C Chocolate Chips

Frosting

1/2 C Browned Butter
3 1/2 C Powdered Sugar
1 1/2 t Vanilla
3 T Heavy Cream or Milk

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
Grease 15x10 sheet pan with butter or oil
Add sugar, softened butter, sour cream, and eggs to the bowl of a stand mixer and mix on low until well combined
Add bananas and vanilla mix until incorporated
Add flour, baking soda, and salt and mix on medium speed for 1 minute
Add chopped walnuts and chocolate chips and mix on low for 10 seconds
Spread batter onto the greased pan
Bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly golden on top
While it is baking start to prepare the frosting
Add butter to large sauce pan over medium heat
Let the butter come to a boil, there will be lots of foam on top
Keep on eye on the butter and wait for it to turn a golden brown color then remove from the heat
Once the butter is browned add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream (or milk) to the pot and mix. I use a handheld electric mixer to get it fluffy.
Top the cake with the frosting while it is still warm so it spreads easier.
Enjoy!

Adapted from Life’s Simple Pleasures

Thanks for reading and using this recipe! I know it will be something you find delicious!