Heavenly Banana Pecan Caramel Layer Cake Recipe For Bakers

Rich banana layers dancing with caramel pecans create a decadent dessert adventure you’ll want to savor immediately.

Nutty aromas promise delightful complexity in each delectable slice.

Sweet undertones weave through moist cake textures, hinting at comfort and indulgence.

Pecans add unexpected crunch against silky caramel notes.

Carefully balanced ingredients blend into a masterpiece that feels both familiar and exciting.

Delicate layers promise a symphony of flavors waiting to charm your taste buds.

Bake this cake and watch magic unfold on your plate.

Why Banana Pecan Caramel Layer Cake Is A Showstopper

• Celebrate Southern Comfort: Indulge in a classic Southern-style dessert that brings warmth and nostalgia with every delightful bite of banana and pecan goodness.
• Master Layered Baking Techniques: Learn an impressive cake-making process that transforms simple ingredients into a stunning multi-layered dessert perfect for impressing family and friends.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Suitable for various occasions like birthdays, family gatherings, potlucks, and holiday celebrations where a rich, decadent dessert is desired.
• Showcase Seasonal Ingredients: Utilize ripe bananas and fresh pecans to create a dessert that highlights natural, wholesome flavors while reducing food waste.

What Goes Into Banana Pecan Caramel Layer Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: A key ingredient that provides structure and texture for the cake layers.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a tender crumb.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a smooth, creamy cake texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide moisture and structure.

• Ripe Bananas: Offer natural sweetness and moisture to the cake, creating a soft and flavorful base.
• Lemon Juice: Prevents banana browning and adds a subtle tangy brightness.

• Pecans: Provide a delightful crunch and nutty flavor throughout the cake layers.

• Buttermilk, Baking Soda, Salt: Work together to create a light, tender cake with perfect rising and balanced flavor.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the overall cake flavor profile.

Steps To Assemble Banana Pecan Caramel Layer Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350°F. Grab your cake pans and give them a friendly coating of grease and a light dusting of flour to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Prepare Banana Mixture

Mash those ripe bananas in a small bowl and splash in some lemon juice to keep them looking fresh. Sprinkle in the chopped pecans for a delightful crunch.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a spacious mixing bowl, whip the butter and sugar together until they transform into a fluffy cloud-like mixture. Gently add eggs one by one, then pour in vanilla for extra flavor magic.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Salt

Blend these dry ingredients thoroughly, then slowly incorporate them into the creamy butter mixture.

Step 5: Add Liquid Magic

Pour in buttermilk and mix until just combined. Carefully fold in the banana and pecan mixture, creating a smooth, dreamy batter.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared cake pans. Slide them into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Step 7: Cool and Rest

Let the cakes hang out in their pans for 10 minutes to calm down. Then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely before the next steps of your cake adventure.

Tips For Moist Banana Pecan Layer Cake

• Toast pecans before adding to batter for enhanced nutty flavor and crunchier texture.
• Ensure bananas are very ripe and overripe for maximum natural sweetness and deeper banana taste.
• Gently fold banana mixture into batter to maintain cake's light and fluffy consistency.
• Use room temperature ingredients like eggs, butter, and buttermilk for smoother, more even baking.
• Replace buttermilk with Greek yogurt or sour cream if unavailable for similar moisture and tanginess.

Creative Spins On This Layer Cake Dessert

• Tropical Paradise Cake: Replace pecans with toasted coconut and add a splash of rum to the batter for a Caribbean-inspired version.
• Chocolate Banana Indulgence: Mix in cocoa powder and dark chocolate chips to create a rich, decadent cake variation.
• Nutty Almond Banana Cake: Swap pecans for sliced almonds and add almond extract for a nutty, aromatic flavor profile.
• Spiced Banana Cake: Incorporate cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger into the batter for a warm, comforting spice blend.

Great Pairings With Banana Pecan Cake

• Pair with Caramel Macchiato: Amplify the cake's sweet caramel undertones with a smooth, rich caramel macchiato that mirrors the dessert's layered flavor profile.
• Complement with Toasted Pecan Ice Cream: Enhance the nutty pecan notes by serving a scoop of homemade toasted pecan ice cream alongside the cake for a delightful textural contrast.
• Match with Spiced Rum Cocktail: Create a sophisticated dessert experience by pairing the cake with a smooth spiced rum cocktail that echoes the warmth of the caramel and banana flavors.
• Serve with Cream Cheese Frosting: Elevate the cake's richness by adding a velvety cream cheese frosting that provides a tangy balance to the sweet caramel and banana layers.

How To Store Banana Pecan Caramel Layer Cake

• Wrap cake layers individually in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Prevents drying and maintains moisture.
• Place cake on cardboard round, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil. Freezes beautifully for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Cut cake into portions, wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Store in freezer-safe container. Perfect for quick single-serving treats up to 1 month.
• Bring refrigerated cake to room temperature for 30 minutes. For frozen cake, thaw completely in refrigerator first.

Common Questions About Banana Pecan Cake

• Can I use other nuts instead of pecans?

Yes, you can substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds for a similar texture and flavor profile.

• How ripe should the bananas be?

Use very ripe, almost overripe bananas with dark brown spots for the best sweetness and moisture in the cake.

• Is buttermilk necessary for this recipe?

Buttermilk helps create a tender, moist cake. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.

• Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Yes, replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking to make this recipe gluten-free.

Banana Pecan Caramel Layer Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 45-50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Indulgent banana pecan caramel layer cake brings Southern comfort to dessert tables with rich, moist layers of pure delight. Caramel-drenched pecans and silky frosting create a memorable finale you’ll savor with every luxurious bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk

Cake Structure and Moisture Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Flavor and Texture Enhancers:

• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350F and prepare three 9-inch round cake pans by thoroughly coating with grease and flour.
2. Mash ripe bananas and mix with lemon juice to prevent browning, then gently fold in roughly chopped pecans.
3. Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes pale and airy, then incorporate eggs individually, blending thoroughly after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
4. Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl, then gradually incorporate into the creamed mixture, stirring until smooth and well combined.
5. Slowly pour in buttermilk and mix until just integrated, then carefully fold in the banana and pecan mixture to maintain the batter’s delicate texture.
6. Distribute the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans, ensuring smooth surfaces, and bake for 25-30 minutes until a testing skewer emerges clean when inserted into the cake’s center.
7. Allow cakes to rest in their pans for 10 minutes to set, then carefully transfer to wire cooling racks and let them cool completely before assembling or frosting.

Notes

• Add overripe bananas for deeper, more intense banana flavor that enhances the cake’s moisture and sweetness.
• Toast pecans beforehand in a dry skillet to elevate their nutty richness and bring out a more complex, robust flavor profile.
• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smoother batter and more even cake texture, preventing potential lumps or uneven mixing.
• Swap pecans with walnuts or almonds for alternative nut variations that can adapt to personal preferences or dietary needs.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 467 kcal
• Sugar: 33 g
• Sodium: 195 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg