Ever have one of those weeks were every time you walk past the bananas on the counter, you notice they’re getting more and more fragrant. That’s been me this last week. I knew I had to do something about those overly ripe bananas, but I kept putting it off. There’s not much you can do with bananas once they hit that wonderfully brownish appearance and odorous stage of life, but you can bake with them and they’re perfection in baked goods! So that’s exactly what I did. I made Brown Butter Banana Cake with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting.
Now I know you could freeze those bananas and make ice cream, but I much prefer having something rich and tasty and loaded with addictive frosting. So, I baked! And then I topped that with a dreamy cream cheese frosting laced with caramel. I’m not sure if there’s anything better in this world than a delicious cake topped with a thick layer of frosting.
It’s my weakness, my total downfall. I could spend way too long gazing in the bakery, I’m generally drawn to the cakes and cupcakes, whatever has the most icing. I spend a good portion of my grocery shopping trip just trying to convince myself that I don’t need a slice of cake. But I’m learning that everything in moderation is doable.
If you forbid yourself from having a piece of cake it just becomes more and more enticing. So, in my opinion, go ahead have a little slice. It might be all that you need is three bites to satisfy your craving. And trust me when I tell you that this cake will satisfy your sweet tooth cravings!
Now let’s talk about the cake for a minute. I didn’t just make a banana cake, I made a brown butter banana cake. And let me tell you that little extra step takes this regular cake to the next level. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I find banana cake can be a little boring. BUT, if you want to rock your banana cake world, just go ahead and let that butter brown first. Trust me! It adds an almost caramel-like flavour to the cake.
Now, I know I said, you could stop at three bites, but with this cake, I’m not sure that’s entirely possible or that you’ll want to. In fact, you may be looking for brown bananas so you can make this for Sunday dinner with the family, or to make this when you have guests over, or even just to make this so you can eat it for breakfast. Whatever you choose to do with this cake, there are no judgements here!
Not only is this cake delicious, with its brown butter, caramel-y goodness. But then it’s topped with a cream cheese frosting, that’s flavoured with none other than extra caramel. Making this cake totally crave-worthy. Have I convinced you yet? If you’re anything like me, which I think you are, you’re ready to bake your own!
How to make Brown Butter Banana Cake with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting.
The key to this cake truly is in the brown butter, so let’s start there! In a small pot over medium-low heat, let this cook nice and slow until it gets a golden amber colour. I let this simmer for about 20 minutes, I did increase the heat slightly at the end, just to get it to turn colour, but keep an eye on this because you won’t want it to burn.
You’ll start to notice little specks of black in the pan, which is totally normal. You’re looking for a deep golden colour, you’ll know it’s right when the butter becomes incredibly fragrant. Pull that off the heat and then let it cool down. This is where patience comes into play, the aroma of the butter alone will have you convinced at how good this cake really is!
Once the butter cools down, mix that with the sugars and then stir in the eggs one at a time and blend well after each one. Add in the rest of the wet ingredients and mix until well combined. In a second bowl, sift together the dry ingredients and make a little well in the middle and pour in the wet ingredients. Mix the two mixtures together until combined and smooth. Pour batter into a greased 8″ x 8″ pan and bake.
While that’s baking get the cream cheese frosting ready. Blend together the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add in the icing sugar and vanilla mix that on low until combined and then add in the caramel and beat until totally incorporated. Once the cake is cool, go ahead and load up that cake with the caramel frosting!
This cake does take a few extra minutes to make, but trust me the flavours are going to be worth every extra single second. You’re probably wondering, did I stop at three bites? No, no I did not. And I can tell you that it won’t last long in this home!
If you love Brown Butter Banana Cake with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting, check out these other delicious recipes, I’m sure they’ll hit the spot:
If you get a chance to make this or any other recipe on the blog and want to share. Please feel free to tag @candyjarchronicles or use #candyjarchronicles on Instagram, so I can see your post. I’d love to see what you’re cooking in your kitchen!
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Brown Butter Banana Cake with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting
The perfect use for those brown bananas. Brown some butter to mix with the bananas for a deliciously flavoured cake. Then top it all with this crave-worthy caramel cream cheese frosting. So good you'll want to spread it on everything! Together they create an unforgettable dessert!
INGREDIENTS
Banana Cake
- 1/2 cup butter, browned
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup mashed bananas
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 3/4 tsp salt
Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups icing sugar
- 1/4 cup caramel (such as Smuckers ice cream topping)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
INSTRUCTIONS
Brown Butter Banana Cake
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In a small saucepan over medium-low heat bring the butter to a slow simmer. Cook for about 20 minutes or until dark golden brown and very fragrant. Set aside to cool.
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
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Cream together the sugars and browned butter, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Next, add in the buttermilk, mashed bananas and vanilla, stirring until it's all completley combined.
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Sift all the dry ingredients together. Pour the wet mixure into a small well in the dry ingredients and stir until combined and smooth.
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Pour the batter into a greased 8" x 8" pan and bake for 48-54 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let this cool completely before frosting.
Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting
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Using a hand mixer, cream together the butter and cream cheese, add in the icing sugar and vanilla and mix until combined. Pour in the caramel and beat until fully combined and smooth. Spread this over the cake.
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Refrigerate any leftovers.