This Martha Stewart Banana Layer Cake is a moist and fluffy recipe, which includes ripe bananas and buttermilk. It’s a restaurant-quality dish, ready in about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Martha Stewart Banana Layer Cake Ingredients
For the Frosting:
- 1 pound cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 pound confectioners’ sugar (about 3 1/2 cups)
- Pinch kosher salt
For the Cake:
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more (room temperature) for pans
- 2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup safflower or neutral oil
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed (1 1/4 cups)
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 1 ounce dark chocolate, grated (about 1/3 cup), plus more for decorating
How To Make Martha Stewart Banana Layer Cake
- Prepare the frosting: Beat the cream cheese in a mixer until smooth. Add butter and beat for 2 minutes. Reduce speed and mix in confectioners’ sugar and salt. Increase speed and beat until fluffy. Refrigerate in an airtight container for at least 3 hours.
- Prep the oven and pans: Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly butter two 9-inch round cake pans. Line bottoms with parchment paper and butter the parchment.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, oil, sugar, and mashed bananas. Add eggs and vanilla, whisking until smooth.
- Alternate flour and buttermilk: Stir the flour mixture into the banana mixture in two parts, alternating with buttermilk and ending with flour.
- Bake the cake layers: Divide the batter evenly between pans and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean. Cool in pans for 15 minutes, then transfer to a rack and cool completely.
- Layer and frost: Place one cake layer on a stand, bottom-side down. Mix grated chocolate into 1 cup of frosting and spread over the first layer. Top with the second layer, bottom-side up. Chill for 15 minutes.
- Finish frosting and decorate: Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides. Garnish with chocolate shavings. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Recipe Tips
- Can I make the frosting ahead of time? Yes, it needs to chill for at least 3 hours, and can be made a day in advance.
- Why use both butter and oil? Butter adds flavor while oil helps keep the cake extra moist.
- How to keep cake layers even: Use a scale to divide batter equally between pans and smooth the tops.
- Can I freeze the cake layers? Yes, tightly wrap and freeze for up to 2 months before assembling.
- How to get clean slices: Chill the cake before slicing and use a hot knife for neat cuts.
What To Serve With Banana Layer Cake
This layered dessert is perfect on its own or with these accompaniments:
- A cup of espresso or cappuccino
- Fresh raspberries or strawberries
- Vanilla bean ice cream
- Toasted walnuts on the side
How To Store Banana Layer Cake
Refrigerate: Store covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. Let it come to room temperature before serving.
Freeze: Wrap unfrosted layers tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw completely before frosting.
Banana Layer Cake Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 480 per slice
- Fat: 26g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Protein: 5g
- Sugar: 39g
- Fiber: 1g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I use regular vegetable oil instead of safflower oil?
Yes, any neutral-flavored oil will work well.
Why does the frosting need to chill?
Chilling firms up the frosting, making it easier to spread and hold its shape.
How to keep banana cake moist?
Don’t overbake, and store it properly covered to retain moisture.
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips to the batter?
Yes, fold in about 1/2 cup if desired.
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Martha Stewart Banana Layer Cake
Description
A moist and fluffy two-layer banana cake with rich cream cheese frosting and chocolate garnish.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Make frosting and chill at least 3 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare and butter two 9-inch pans.
- Whisk dry ingredients together.
- Mix butter, oil, sugar, bananas, eggs, and vanilla.
- Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk.
- Divide into pans and bake 35–40 minutes.
- Cool, then frost with chocolate-mixed and plain cream cheese frosting.
- Decorate with shaved chocolate and serve at room temperature.