Luscious Banana Pecan Cake (Print version)

A moist banana pecan sheet cake with toasted nuts, warm vanilla, and a thick layer of cream cheese frosting.

# Ingredients:

For the banana pecan cake

01 - 1 cup (110 g) chopped pecans
02 - 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
03 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional
07 - 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
08 - 1/4 cup (60 ml) neutral oil
09 - 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
10 - 1/2 cup (105 g) packed light brown sugar
11 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
12 - 1 1/2 cups (340 g) mashed very ripe bananas, about 3 large bananas
13 - 1/2 cup (120 g) sour cream
14 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the cream cheese frosting

15 - 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
16 - 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
17 - 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar, sifted
18 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
19 - 1 pinch fine salt
20 - 1/3 cup (35 g) toasted chopped pecans, reserved from the toasted pecans above

# Instructions:

01 - Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment if you want easier lifting.
02 - Toast the chopped pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant. Cool completely and reserve 1/3 cup for topping.
03 - Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl until evenly mixed.
04 - Beat the butter, oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the mashed bananas, sour cream, and vanilla.
05 - Fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture just until combined, then fold in the pecans. Spread in the pan and bake for 32-38 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
06 - Let the cake cool completely in the pan, at least 1 hour, before frosting.
07 - Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, then beat until creamy and spreadable.
08 - Spread the frosting over the cooled cake and sprinkle with the reserved toasted pecans. Chill briefly for cleaner slices if desired.

# Good to know:

01 - Best made with very ripe bananas that are heavily spotted.
02 - Let refrigerated slices sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before serving.
03 - Nutrition is an estimate per serving.

Back