Get ready to indulge in the most heavenly banana cream cake you’ve ever tasted! Picture this: layers of moist banana cake filled with luscious banana pastry cream, all topped with creamy cream cheese frosting and adorned with delightful Nilla Wafers. It’s an absolute must-have for anyone who adores bananas—it truly is the ultimate banana cake experience!
Here’s why you’re going to fall head over heels for this banana cream cake:
- The banana cake layers are unbelievably soft and moist, thanks to the addition of ripe bananas. Each bite bursts with that irresistible banana flavor that you know and love.
- But wait, there’s more! These delectable layers are filled with a heavenly banana pastry cream that’s like banana pudding but even better. Creamy, dreamy, and utterly delicious!
- And let’s not forget about the crowning glory: the cream cheese frosting. It’s the perfect finishing touch, adding a creamy richness that’ll make every bite melt in your mouth.
Now, let’s gather our ingredients:
Banana Cream Cake
Ingredients
**For the Banana Pastry Cream:**
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 egg yolks
- ¾ cup granulated white sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon banana extract
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
**For the Banana Cake:**
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed banana
- ½ cup buttermilk
**For the Cream Cheese Frosting:**
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 8 oz cream cheese cold
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- Nilla Wafers for decoration
Instructions
**For the Banana Pastry Cream:**
- Heat the milk in a saucepan until steaming, then set aside.
- In a separate saucepan, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, salt, vanilla extract, banana extract, and cornstarch until smooth.
- Gradually add the heated milk to the egg mixture while whisking continuously.
- Cook the mixture over medium-low heat until thickened, then chill in the fridge until cold.
**For the Banana Cake:**
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare your cake pans.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add the eggs, egg yolks, vanilla extract, mashed banana, and buttermilk to the butter mixture and mix until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until smooth.
- Divide the batter evenly among the cake pans and bake until golden brown.
**For the Cream Cheese Frosting:**
- Whip the butter until pale and fluffy, then mix in the cream cheese.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
**Assembling the Cake:**
- Fill the cake layers with banana pastry cream and frost with cream cheese frosting.
- Chill the cake to set the frosting, then decorate with Nilla Wafers and banana slices.
- Serve and enjoy every delectable bite of this irresistible banana cream cake!