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Creamy Banana Pudding Cake with Fresh Banana Layers Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 97 reviews

A nostalgic and comforting dessert featuring moist cake layers, fresh bananas, and homemade creamy vanilla pudding. This Creamy Banana Pudding Cake combines simple pantry ingredients with fresh bananas for natural sweetness and a luscious texture. Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or an indulgent treat any time, it’s easy to make and delightful to eat.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake:

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour (King Arthur recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (Kerrygold recommended)
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup buttermilk (or substitute with milk + 1 teaspoon lemon juice)

For the Creamy Pudding:

  • 2 cups whole milk (or almond milk for dairy-free)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Fresh Banana Layers:

  • 3–4 ripe bananas, sliced (with some brown spots for sweetness)

For Topping (Optional):

  • Whipped cream or meringue (store-bought or homemade)
  • Toasted vanilla wafers or crushed graham crackers for crunch

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round or 8×8-inch square cake pan with butter and lightly dust with flour to prevent sticking, about 5 minutes.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Set aside.
  3. Beat Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat ½ cup softened unsalted butter with ¾ cup granulated sugar until creamy and pale, about 3-4 minutes using an electric mixer. This creates a light, fluffy cake texture.
  4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add 2 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract.
  5. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Alternately add the dry ingredients and ½ cup buttermilk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently and briefly until the batter is smooth and slightly thick, about 5 minutes total, careful not to overmix.
  6. Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the cake springs back lightly when touched.
  7. Make the Pudding: While the cake bakes, whisk ½ cup sugar and ¼ cup cornstarch in a medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in 2 cups whole milk until smooth. In a small bowl, whisk 4 egg yolks and slowly add a small amount of the milk mixture to the yolks to temper them, then whisk yolks back into the saucepan.
  8. Cook Pudding: Over medium heat, whisk constantly until the pudding thickens and just begins to bubble, about 7-8 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract. Let cool slightly.
  9. Assemble Cake Layers: Once cake has cooled about 30 minutes, slice horizontally in half or into layers as preferred. Arrange sliced bananas over the bottom cake layer.
  10. Layer Pudding and Bananas: Spread half of the warm pudding over the bananas. Add the second cake layer, then top with remaining sliced bananas and pudding.
  11. Chill to Set: Chill the assembled cake for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator to let flavors meld and the pudding firm up.
  12. Optional Topping: Before serving, optionally spread whipped cream or meringue on top and sprinkle with toasted vanilla wafers or crushed graham crackers for added texture and crunch.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients for smoother batter and creamier pudding.
  • Do not overmix batter to avoid a tough, dense cake; a few small lumps are fine.
  • Be careful when tempering egg yolks to avoid scrambling; slowly incorporate hot milk mixture.
  • Slice bananas just before assembling to prevent browning; optionally toss with lemon juice.
  • Chill the cake for at least 2 hours to allow pudding to set and flavors to meld beautifully.

Keywords: banana pudding cake, creamy banana cake, homemade banana pudding, fresh banana layers, easy dessert, family favorite, potluck dessert

Find it online: https://cheframi.com/creamy-banana-pudding-cake-with-fresh-banana-layers-recipe/