Caramel Banana Banoffee Cake Recipe (video)
If you love banana bread, you’re going to be head-over-heels in love with my Banoffee cake recipe! This incredible caramel banana cake is what dreams are made of! It’s made with delicate vanilla pecan cake layers and filled with dulce de leche and fresh bananas. I use my easy 5-Ingredient Cream Cheese Frosting to frost the cake and my Caramel Sauce for garnishing the top! This elevated banana cake is everything you ever dreamed of! You can also find this cake in my first cookbook, The European Cake Cookbook!
My Banoffee Cake Video Tutorial
Watch my YouTube video recipe for step-by-step instructions and watch me assemble my Banoffee cake! Want to receive new recipe emails in your inbox? Make sure to subscribe to my website emailing list and my YouTube channel and turn on notifications!
All About Banoffee Banana Cake!
If you’ve never heard of or tried Banoffee cake or pie, you’re missing out! This delicious banana pie recipe was first made in the United Kingdom and it’s a very popular English dessert. Traditional Banoffee pie is made with bananas, toffee and cream layered over a biscuit crust. You can even find some versions with chocolate! My Banoffee pie inspired cake has all the best flavors of the original pie recipe, in cake form!
Ingredients for Banoffee Cake
Here are the main ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious caramel and banana banoffee cake!
- Buttermilk: this soured milk makes the cake layers extra moist and fluffy. Can’t find buttermilk in a store near you! You can make your own by using 1 cup whole milk and 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar. Just add the juice to the milk, whisk and let it stand for a few minutes, turning sour.
- Cooking Oil, Eggs & Vanilla Extract: the wet ingredients for the cake batter. I typically use canola oil since it’s very mild in flavor. Have the eggs at room temperature for best results.
- Sugar, Flour, Baking Powder & Soda: the dry ingredients for the cake batter.
- Pecans: diced pecans add lots of flavor and crunchiness to the cake! Diced walnuts will also work well for this recipe.
- Bananas: sweet, ripe bananas are the best for this banana cake. To keep the bananas from browning, lightly brush them with lemon juice using a pastry brush.
- Sugar: use white granulated sugar for making the homemade caramel sauce.
- Caramel Sauce: my homemade caramel sauce takes just 5 to 7 minutes to make! However, if you prefer, you can use premade, store-bought caramel sauce for this recipe.
- Dulce de Leche: this thick caramel sauce is actually cooked sweetened condensed milk. It’s great to use as a filling.
- Cream Cheese: for making the cream cheese frosting. Soften the cheese at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes prior to using.
- Butter: use only unsalted butter for making the frosting! Soften the butter at room temperature for 30 minutes.
How to Make Banana Banoffee Cake
This incredible caramel banana cake starts with delicate and delicious vanilla pecan cake layers! Here’s how I put this banana cake together:
- Preheat the oven to 350F/177C. Line three, 8-inch (20-cm) round cake pans with parchment paper; or use two, 9-inch (23-cm) cake pans. Spray the sides with a baking spray.
- Prepare the pecan cake layers: in a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, buttermilk, oil, vanilla and sugar. Mix the ingredients together on medium-high speed for a few minutes, until the eggs are well beaten. In a separate bowl, combine all the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Sift the dry ingredients into the cake batter, then mix for about 1 minute on slow speed until the flour is well incorporated. Fold in the chopped pecans last.
- Divide the prepared cake batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 25 minutes (up to 30 minutes for 9-inch), or until the cakes are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake layers to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer onto a wire rack to cool completely. Once the layers are completely cooled, use a serrated knife to level off the tops.
- While the cake layers are cooling, prepare a batch of my Cream Cheese Frosting and my Homemade Caramel Sauce. Keep the frosting refrigerated until you’re ready to use it. The caramel sauce can also be prepared a day or two ahead of time.
Assembling the Caramel Banana Cake
- To assemble the cake: assemble the cake once the cake layers have cooled completely. Spread a generous about of caramel sauce (or dulce de leche) onto each cake layer. Follow the caramel sauce with a generous amount of cream cheese frosting. Add a layer of sliced banana on top of the cream cheese frosting. For the the last layer, spread the top with dulce de leche or caramel, then invert onto the cake. This way, the caramel is sealed inside.
- Frost the outside of the cake with a thin, crumb-coat layer of frosting, then refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes. Once chilled, frost the outside of the cake with a generous layer of frosting, then use a decorative icing comb (link in post) to smooth the sides, if desired. Garnish the cake with more bananas, caramel sauce and diced pecans. Refrigerate the cake for at least an hour before serving; the cake will be very soft and harder to cut if not refrigerated.
Making the Cream Cheese Frosting
For frosting this incredible Banoffee cake, I’m using one of ‘Back to Cake Basics’ recipes – my 5-Ingredient Cream Cheese Frosting. This frosting is so creamy, fluffy and smooth – perfect for this banana cake recipe! I have a separate video recipe for the frosting, so make sure to check it out!
- The trick to making great frosting is whipping the butter and cream cheese properly. I usually whisk my softened butter on high speed for 7 to 8 minutes, until the butter is fluffy and almost white in color.
- Then I add in the cream cheese and mix again for a few minutes. Add the confectioner’s sugar last and mix again for a few minutes.
- If your frosting is too soft, place it into the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to an hour. You can even make the frosting the day before and refrigerate it overnight. When you’re ready to use the frosting, let it stand at room temperature for a few hours, then mix with a spatula.
Making Homemade Caramel Sauce
A traditional Banoffee pie uses dulce de leche for the caramel flavor. For my caramel banana cake, I used my homemade Caramel Sauce recipe instead. I recommend making the caramel sauce the day before making the cake, or at least a few hours ahead. It needs a few hours to cool completely. If you don’t have time or don’t wish to make your own sauce, just grab a can of dulce de leche and use that instead. It will be perfect for this cake, too! I have a separate video recipe for the caramel sauce so make sure to check that out!
To thicken the homemade sauce, I place it into the refrigerator until it’s nicely chilled. Once the cake layers are cooled, gently spread a generous amount of the caramel onto each cake layer. I also like to add a caramel drip to garnish the cake. To do this, I microwave the sauce for about 30 seconds, until it’s more runny and easier to pour. Gently spoon the caramel over the edges to garnish the cake.
More Recipes!
Enjoyed this incredible cake recipe? Check out some of my other recipes you’re sure to enjoy!
- Maple Pecan Banana Bread – the best-ever banana bread sweetened with maple syrup, with pecans and a maple glaze!
- Easy Banana Cream Cake Roll – all the banana flavor in this easy cake roll filled with more bananas and cream cheese frosting!
- Best Banana Nut Bars – seriously delicious banana nut bread bars with an easy cream cheese icing!
- Pineapple Banana Pecan Hummingbird Cake – the most delicious combination of flavors and textures! This moist banana cake is frosted with a cream cheese frosting and dotted with pecans!
- Cinnamon Roll Cake – epic cinnamon cake inspired by my favorite breakfast! With cinnamon cake layers, dulce de leche and cream cheese frosting!
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Supplies & Tools
Need some supplies to make this recipe? You can get them here (Amazon affiliate links):
- Ateco Turntable – this classic turntable is a must for any avid cake baker! I use this one all the time!
- Icing Comb – use this fun and decorative cake scraper to create a unique finish on any cake!
- Cake Spatulas – I highly recommend using these flat spatulas for frosting any cake!
- Handheld Mixer – not every baking job requires a stand mixer! This handy, hand-held mixer is great for smaller jobs!
Caramel Banana Banoffee Cake Recipe (video)
Ingredients
For Pecan Cake Layers:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 3/4 cup vegetable or canola oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup chopped pecans
For Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- pinch of salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups confectioner’s sugar
- pinch of salt
For Cake:
- 3 to 4 ripe bananas, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 14 oz can dulce de leche, if not using caramel sauce
Instructions
Preparing the Cake Layers:
- Preheat the oven to 350F/177C. Line three, 8-inch (20-cm) round cake pans with parchment paper; or use two, 9-inch (23-cm) cake pans. Spray the sides with a baking spray.
- Prepare the pecan cake layers: in a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, buttermilk, oil, vanilla and sugar. Mix the ingredients together on medium-high speed for a few minutes, until the eggs are well beaten. In a separate bowl, combine all the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Sift the dry ingredients into the cake batter, then mix for about 1 minute on slow speed until the flour is well incorporated. Fold in the chopped pecans last.
- Divide the prepared cake batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 25 minutes (up to 30 minutes for 9-inch), or until the cakes are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake layers to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer onto a wire rack to cool completely. Once the layers are completely cooled, use a serrated knife to level off the tops.
Making the Caramel Sauce:
- For the caramel sauce: In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the sugar and water but do not stir. Cook the sugar over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, until the sugar caramelizes into a rich, amber color. Do not stir the syrup while cooking, as this will cause crystals to form on the sides of the pan! The timing can also vary, depending on saucepan and stove top. Once the syrup caramelizes, add the butter and whisk until melted. Add the heavy cream next and mix again; the sauce will foam up – take care that it doesn’t run over. Remove the sauce from heat and add the salt and vanilla extract. Allow the caramel to cool and thicken for a few hours.
Making the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting: Soften the cream cheese and butter at room temperature until slightly soft to touch – not melted or too soft! Place the butter into a stand mixer bowl and use a whisk attachment to whisk the butter. Whisk on high speed for about 7 to 8 minutes, scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl often to get all the butter creamed. Add the softened cream cheese next and whisk again for 2 to 3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl often, until the mixture is uniform and smooth.
- Add the vanilla, optional cream cheese extract, salt and confectioner’s sugar. Whisk on low speed first until the sugar is incorporated, then turn the speed up and whisk on high for 2 to 3 minutes, until the frosting is light and fluffy. If the frosting is too soft, refrigerate it for about 30 minutes, then use.
Assembling the Cake:
- To assemble the cake: assemble the cake once the cake layers have cooled completely. Spread a generous about of caramel sauce (or dulce de leche) onto each cake layer. Follow the caramel sauce with a generous amount of cream cheese frosting. Add a layer of sliced banana on top of the cream cheese frosting. For the the last layer, spread the top with dulce de leche or caramel, then invert onto the cake. This way, the caramel is sealed inside.
- Frost the outside of the cake with a thin, crumb-coat layer of frosting, then refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes. Once chilled, frost the outside of the cake with a generous layer of frosting, then use a decorative icing comb (link in post) to smooth the sides, if desired. Garnish the cake with more bananas, caramel sauce and diced pecans. Refrigerate the cake for at least an hour before serving; the cake will be very soft and harder to cut if not refrigerated.
Hi! Can i prepare the layers a couple of days in advance? Also will the bananas on top get dark if assemble the cake a day before serving?
Hi! Yes, you can absolutely make the layers ahead of time. Let the cool completely, then wrap them in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator or freezer. If you cover the bananas with caramel sauce, they stay great! You can also brush them with a little bit of lemon juice to help preserve the color. Enjoy! 🙂
Beautiful cake! I had a question can I make this one day in advance? If I frost it all and just leave it in the fridge until time of serving?
Hi! Thank you, Susan! Yes, you can absolutely make this cake ahead of time! I recommend brushing the bananas lightly with lemon juice so they don’t brown. Enjoy!
Making a vegan version of this using banana and walnut cakes and made your caramel sauce with vegan butter and coconut cream. Yummmm!!
That sounds delicious! I’m so glad you enjoyed the vegan version of this cake! 🙂
Hi tatyana! Can i use same amount of margarine instead of unsalted butter?
Hi! I don’t usually recommend using margarine. You can also use a cooking oil in place of the butter. If margarine is all you have, it will work. Enjoy!
Hi Tatyana! So excited to make this delicious looking cake! I was wondering if I can put the batter in one cake pan and bake, then cut into thirds? I only have one one of each size pan. Or should I make the batter, and bake each layer at a time? Thank you!
Hi Olga! This cake is so incredibly delicious, you’ll love it! All in one pan might be a little too much batter. However, you can split the cake batter in half and bake half at a time. This way, the cake will bake evenly without overbaking on the edges. Hope you enjoy it!
Thank you Tatyana for the quick response. I made it today! I put the leftover pieces of cake, frosting and all the rest together for my husband and I to munch on, and it was delicious! Can’t wait to slice into the actual cake. Now we gotta figure out who to share it with tomorrow. Thank you for your amazing recipes! So far every single one I used has been incredible! You’re site is my go to!
Hi Olga! I love to use the leftover pieces, too! They make a great snack. I’m so glad you’re enjoying my recipes. Hearing that makes my day! 🙂 Hope the cake is a hit with everyone!
Hi Tatyana, can the pecans be left out of this recipe? Would I need to substitute it with something else, or adjust the other ingredients?
Hi Sara! Sure, you can omit them without having to adjust the recipe, or you can replace them with other nuts, such as almonds or hazelnuts. Enjoy!