Description
Indulge in this Banana Pecan Caramel Cake! A moist banana cake with toasted pecans and rich caramel drizzle perfect for special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients List
For the Cake:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
Instructions
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Batter:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch Bundt pan or two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the sour cream, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Fold in the mashed bananas and toasted pecans with a spatula, being careful not to overmix.
- Bake the Cake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan(s) and spread it evenly.
- Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove from the pan and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
- Make the Caramel Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, melt 1/2 cup unsalted butter over medium heat.
- Add 1 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup heavy cream, stirring constantly until the mixture comes to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened.
- Remove from heat and let the caramel sauce cool slightly before drizzling over the cooled cake.
- Assemble and Serve:
- Once the cake has cooled, drizzle the caramel sauce generously over the top, allowing it to drip down the sides.
- Sprinkle additional toasted pecans on top for extra crunch.
- Slice and serve.
Notes
Additional Tips and Notes
- Creating the Perfect Caramel Drizzle: For a smooth, pourable caramel sauce, be sure to let the caramel cool slightly before drizzling it over the cake. If the caramel thickens too much, reheat it gently on the stove or in the microwave until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Enhancing Banana Flavor: To intensify the banana flavor, add 1 teaspoon of banana extract to the batter along with the vanilla extract. This will give the cake a more pronounced banana taste.
- Decorative Topping: For an elegant presentation, garnish the cake with whole pecans or banana slices just before serving. You can also sprinkle a bit of sea salt over the caramel drizzle to create a salted caramel effect.