Banana Cake with Classic Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Banana Cake with Classic Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients – Banana Cake:

• 1 ½ cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups buttermilk

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or a 9×13-inch pan.
2. Prepare the bananas by mashing them and mixing with lemon juice. Set aside.
3. Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy (about 3–5 minutes).
5. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
6. Combine ingredients: Add the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk, starting and ending with the flour. Gently fold in the banana mixture.
7. Bake: Divide the batter into prepared pans and bake for 25–30 minutes (round pans) or 35–40 minutes (sheet pan), until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Cool: Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Classic Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Beat the butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy (about 3 minutes).
2. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed.
3. Add vanilla, salt, and 2 tablespoons of cream. Beat on high speed until fluffy. Add more cream if needed for a smooth, spreadable consistency.

Assemble the Cake:

• For a layered cake: Place one cake layer on a serving plate, frost the top, then place the second layer and frost the entire cake.
• For a sheet cake: Simply spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cake.

Strawberry Cream Dessert Cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, finely chopped or blended
• 1 cup crushed shortbread cookies or vanilla cake pieces
• Fresh halved strawberries (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
2. In another bowl, beat cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
3. Fold in the strawberries (blended or finely chopped).
4. Gently fold the whipped cream into the strawberry-cream cheese mixture until fully combined.
5. In small serving cups, layer crushed cookies or cake pieces at the bottom.
6. Spoon the strawberry cream mixture on top, allowing a slight overflow for a luscious look.
7. Garnish with fresh halved strawberries.
8. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.