Banana Caramel Cake

Banana Caramel Cake

Butter Pecan Banana Bliss Cake: A Slice of Heaven in Every Bite!
Ready to unlock your inner cake diva and wow your crew with a dessert that’s equal parts butter pecan perfection and banana bonanza?

Banana Caramel Cake

There are days when only a tower of tender cake, swirled with gooey banana filling and crowned by clouds of browned-butter frosting will do. This Butter Pecan Banana Bliss Cake is the answer to every sweet craving you’ve ever had—and some you didn’t even know existed. Imagine the nutty warmth of butter pecan cake dancing with ripe banana puree, all hugged by layers of buttery-sweet filling and frosting. It’s like a hug from your favorite grandma, but in cake form.

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, throwing a backyard brunch, or just need a serious pick-me-up after a long day, this recipe delivers comfort and sass in equal measure. Best part? You don’t need to be a pastry prodigy to nail it. If you can stir, blend, and spread frosting without redecorating your kitchen walls, you’re golden.

We love to try new things and Matt had said he thought it would be good to make a caramel banana cake. I hesitated on this, I’ll be honest. I wasn’t sure how it was going to turnout but it was awesome and everyone loved it! 

Banana Caramel Cake

Ingredients

Cake

• 1 (15.25-ounce) box butter pecan cake mix, such as Betty Crocker Super-Moist Butter Pecan
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups puréed banana (about 3 small bananas)
• 3 large eggs
• ¼ cup salted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting

• 2 cups room temperature browned butter
• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• 3 to 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Filling

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 5 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 pinch of salt
• Sliced Bananas

Directions

1. CAKE: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Crisco two 8″ pans and then dust them with flour, then I put parchment at the bottom.
2. In a medium bowl, combine cake mix, 1 cup water, banana purée, eggs, oil, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed 1 minute. Increase mixer speed to high, and beat 2 minutes.
3. Spoon batter into prepared pans. Bake until light golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven, and cool in pans 10 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Then freeze overnight if you want to. I like to because it makes them easier to decorate.
4. Before decorating cut the bananas into 1/4″ slices. Then make the caramel so it has time to cool.
5. CARAMEL :Combine ingredients in small pot and stir together so they’re mostly dissolved.
6. Place over medium-low heat and cook for 7-8 minutes leaving it alone until it bubbles and thickens.
7.   Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla then transfer to a bowl to cool, you’ll want to cool it before putting it on the cake so it doesn’t melt the frosting.
8. FROSTING: Add 4 sticks of butter to a pot and cook over medium low heat stirring occasionally until the milk solids in the butter caramelize and darken. Be careful of splatters!
9. Once the butter has darkened transfer to a bowl and chill until almost solid. The brown butter will be slow to cool and thicken back up so make sure to do this step in advance. I let mine cool in the fridge while making the caramel.
10. Cream the butter in a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.
11. Add in the salt and powdered sugar gradually and beat together.
12. Add vanilla and cream until desired consistency is achieved.
13. Decorate as desired. I frosted the cakes, put caramel and banana slices in the middle and then did the same on top!

Calorie Count

Each slice (assuming 16 generous portions) checks in at approximately 650 calories. A fully indulgent treat, so plan accordingly—this is your moment to embrace the cake life.

Nutritional Facts (per slice)

Cooking Tips

• Let the browned butter cool slightly before frosting. If it’s too warm, your powdered sugar will dissolve into a sugary soup.
• Use overripe bananas with plenty of brown spots—the sweeter they are, the better your puree will taste.
• If your frosting feels too loose, pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes, then re-whip. It firms up beautifully.
• Room-temperature ingredients blend more evenly—no lumps or streaks here!
• Invest in an offset spatula for those perfect frosting swirls; it’s a game-changer.

Recipe Variations

• Coconut Dream: Substitute banana puree for coconut cream and fold shredded coconut into the batter. Top with toasted coconut flakes.
• Chocolate Pecan Twist: Add ½ cup mini chocolate chips to the cake batter, and swirl melted chocolate into the frosting.
• Maple Banana Bliss: Swap the brown sugar filling for pure maple syrup reduction (cook until thick) and stir chopped pecans into it.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free butter pecan cake mix and double-check all add-ins for gluten.
• Mini Muffin Version: Bake the batter in a mini muffin tin for bite-sized bliss. Reduce bake time to 12–15 minutes.

Kid Tips

• Let the little ones sprinkle extra chopped pecans or banana slices on the cake—they’ll feel like junior pastry chefs.
• Replace some of the powdered sugar in the frosting with freeze-dried banana powder for a natural yellow tint and fruity flavor.
• Encourage budding decorators to draw faces or shapes with colored icing pens once the frosting sets.
• Make banana “coins” by layering banana slices on the filling—kids love the peek-a-boo effect.

Final Thoughts

Baking is best served with a side of laughter, sticky fingers, and memories that outlast the crumbs in your mixing bowl. This Butter Pecan Banana Bliss Cake brings together cozy flavors and playful textures, turning any ordinary gathering into a moment you’ll replay in your mind like your favorite sitcom. It’s proof that with a box mix and a couple of pantry staples, you can craft something that looks—and tastes—like a masterpiece.

So next time your sweet tooth sends an S.O.S., rally your crew, preheat that oven, and whip up a slice of bliss. Trust me, one bite and you’ll be planning your next excuse to bake it again.

Whether you slice it for Sunday brunch, celebrate a milestone, or simply need a luxurious solo treat, this cake has your back. It’s approachable enough for beginners, customizable enough for kitchen pros, and kid-friendly enough to get the whole family on board. From the nutty richness of the butter pecan base to the velvety banana filling and that dreamy browned-butter frosting, every forkful is a party in your mouth.

Go ahead—own your inner cake diva, share the love (and the calories), and let this Butter Pecan Banana Bliss Cake become a staple in your recipe rotation. Happy baking, and may every slice bring you joy, laughter, and a healthy dose of sugar-drunk delight!

Did you try our Banana Caramel Cake? What did you think? Did you love it? We would love to hear from you! Please leave us a comment below or tag us on Instagram! 

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