Banana Walnut Cake

This banana walnut cake combines the delicious banana flavor in a moist, tender cake just like my favorite buttermilk banana bread recipe but with a nutty crunch of walnuts.

Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting to explore the joys of baking, this moist banana cake recipe is sure to become a timeless favorite in your kitchen.

this recipe

Did you have some overripe bananas at home and no one wants to eat them? Then this is your chance to grab them and make this delicious recipe for the banana walnut cake recipe.

If you love banana bread recipes then you must try this absolutely delicious recipe, a moist texture, not overly sweet and with those added walnuts that bring a tasty texture and that makes all the difference in this banana nut cake.

Why this recipe works

• Mashed banana added in cakes recipe is just amazing, it brings a soft and moist texture and not to forget its absolutely delicious flavor like in my chocolate chip banana bread recipe, or in these banana bread cookies.
• Made with buttermilk, a fantastic ingredient to add to banana bread to enhance its moisture, tenderness, and overall flavor profile. The slight tanginess of buttermilk complements the sweetness of ripe bananas, creating a perfect balance in the taste.
• Adding crunchy walnuts to a banana cake recipe not only provides a delightful contrast in texture but also enhances the taste, making it a more satisfying and indulgent treat.

More recipes for banana lovers

Ingredients and substitutions

Here are the ingredients and substitutions to make this moist banana walnut cake recipe, all the quantities and complete instructions can be found in the recipe card at the end of the page that you can also print.

• Banana: use very ripe bananas here, if your bananas are not very ripe you can still make the recipe.
• Butter: soft, unsalted butter rather than semi-salted butter to control the amount of salt added and softened preferably or melted butter but cooled before.
• Sugar: a mixture of white sugar and flavored sugar such as brown sugar or cane sugar.
• Eggs: eggs at room temperature.
• Milk: Preferably use buttermilk or half-skimmed milk or plain yogurt, sour cream works also or see the recipe notes on how to make homemade buttermilk.
• Flour: All-purpose wheat flour that you can replace with another flour such as bread flour, whole wheat flour, or oat flour.
• Yeast: preferably baking soda or a packet of baking powder.
• Vanilla extract and salt: essential for flavoring and bringing out all the flavors.
• Nuts: chopped walnuts or if you have a walnut allergy then you can replace them with almonds, hazelnuts, brazil nuts or pecans.

Optional:

• Cinnamon: Add ground cinnamon spices as in the traditional banana bread recipe.
• Chocolate chips: for a more indulgent cake.
• Dried fruits: raisins, coconut, etc.
• Frosting: Add a cream cheese frosting to go with this banana cake.

⚠️ You will find the quantities and instructions in the recipe card further down on this page.

How to Make a Moist Banana Walnut Bread Recipe

Mash bananas

• Place the sliced bananas in a medium bowl or large plate.
• And crush them with a fork or a mashed potato press until you get a puree with still some pieces.

Tip: If your bananas are not very ripe, you can put them in the microwave for a few moments to soften them a bit.

Cream butter and sugar

• In another large mixing bowl, put the butter cut into pieces and softened with the granulated sugar and brown sugar.
• Using an electric mixer, mix for at least 2 minutes until creamy and smooth.
• Add the eggs and vanilla extract and mix again with an electric mixer for a good minute to incorporate them.

Tip: Is better to use an electric mixer or a stand mixer to make this recipe, but if you don't have one, you can simply use a hand whisk.

Add dry ingredients

• Add the buttermilk and mashed bananas and mix again with an electric mixer.
• Finish with the flour mixture, flour, baking soda (or baking powder), salt, and chopped nuts.
• Mix gently with a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon until the mixture is well blended.

Baking

• Preheat the oven to 350°F / 180°C and line a 10-inch / 25 cm loaf pan with parchment paper.
• Pour the banana cake batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with the back of a spoon.
• Bake in the oven at half height for about 45-55 minutes until the bread is puffed and golden brown on top.
• Let the banana cake cool slightly in the loaf pan before carefully removing it from the cake pan and letting them cool completely on a wire rack.
• Then place it on a serving dish and add a creamy cream cheese frosting or cut the cooled cake into 10 slices and serve alone or with a bit of jam or nut butter.

Baking tip: Check for baking by putting a knife or toothpick inserted in the center of the banana cake, it should come out clean or with a few crumbs, if the batter is still liquid, cook for a further 5 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

A moist and delicious banana cake is a delightful treat on its own, but you can take it to the next level by adding an appetizing frosting or serving it on a plate with one of these jams that will bring out its flavor even more :

• Homemade chocolate nut spread.
• Homemade peanut butter or almond butter.
• Banana slices and salted caramel sauce
• Red fruit jam or a homemade berries sauce like a strawberry compote, a raspberry compote, or a lemon blueberry compote
• Cream cheese icing
• A dab of butter and honey.
• A creamy cream cheese frosting or whipped cream icing like a mascarpone frosting.

Storage and freeze

At room temperature: This delicious banana bread can be stored at room temperature for 1 week covered with plastic wrap or placed in an airtight container box.

In the freezer: You can keep it for up to 3 months in the freezer, sliced, and placed in preservation bags.

Defrosting: Let it come back to room temperature or use the defrost function of your microwave.

Questions about this recipe

Does banana and walnut go together? Bananas and walnut are a classic flavor combination that complements each other perfectly. When used together in recipes like banana walnut bread or in banana walnut muffins, they create a wonderful balance of sweet and nutty flavors.

Does banana nut cake have to be refrigerated? Generally, banana cakes don't need to be kept in the fridge, unless you're using cream cheese frosting or other perishable products, in either you should keep them in the fridge.

Why my banana cake is not moist? There are many reasons why your banana cake can become dry: if you overcooked it, if you used too much flour or not enough liquid, if you over-mixed the batter, or if you kept the cake uncovered.

You will also love

• Walnut brownies
• Pumpkin bread with streusel topping
• Carrot bread with cream cheese icing

Did you like this recipe? Don't forget to rate it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave me a review in the comments! And to not miss any recipes follow @sweetlycakes on Instagram and tag me to share it if you make this recipe 😊!

Print