Unforgettable Banana Pecan Caramel Layer Cake Recipe

My sweet-toothed adventure with banana pecan caramel layer cake started unexpectedly during a cozy weekend baking session.

Warm memories of childhood desserts inspired this decadent creation that blends rich textures and nostalgic flavors.

Layers of moist banana cake provide a tender foundation for luscious caramel drizzles.

Crunchy pecans scattered between each delicate layer add unexpected depth and complexity.

Creamy frosting embraces each slice with luxurious smoothness that melts delightfully on your tongue.

Indulgent yet balanced, this dessert promises a symphony of comfort and elegance.

Prepare to savor every single bite of this remarkable culinary masterpiece.

Banana Cake Variations For A Twist Of Flavor

• Gluten-Free Banana Pecan Delight: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend for a celiac-friendly version, maintaining the same rich banana and pecan flavors.
• Vegan Caramel Banana Cake: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use coconut oil instead of butter, and create plant-based caramel using coconut cream and maple syrup for a dairy-free alternative.
• Low-Sugar Banana Pecan Option: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, use sugar-free caramel sauce, and reduce overall sweetness while keeping the cake's classic taste profile.
• Nut-Free Adaptation: Remove pecans completely, replace with sunflower seeds or omit nuts entirely, keeping the banana and caramel essence of the original recipe intact.

How To Serve Banana Caramel Layer Cake At Parties

• Sweet Morning Breakfast Companion: Pair a slice with hot coffee or a creamy cappuccino for a delightful breakfast treat that starts your day with warmth and comfort.
• Afternoon Tea Elegance: Serve alongside Earl Grey tea or a light herbal infusion, creating a sophisticated dessert moment perfect for relaxed gatherings with friends.
• Dessert Wine Pairing: Match with a sweet Moscato or late harvest Riesling, enhancing the caramel and nutty flavors while providing a luxurious post-dinner experience.
• Seasonal Garnish Delight: Top with fresh banana slices, extra toasted pecans, and a light dusting of cinnamon to elevate the presentation and add extra texture and flavor complexity.

Cake Storage Solutions For Lasting Freshness

• Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out and absorbing other flavors.
• Wrap the entire cake securely in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Cut cake into individual portions, wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 weeks for quick single-serving treats.
• Bring refrigerated cake to room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. For frozen cake, thaw completely in the refrigerator, then let sit at room temperature for 1 hour to restore texture and flavor.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of nut instead of pecans?

Yes, you can substitute pecans with walnuts, almonds, or even chopped macadamia nuts to add a similar crunch and nutty flavor to the cake.

• Is this cake too sweet?

The caramel and buttercream do add sweetness, but the bananas and nuts help balance the overall flavor profile, making it rich without being overly sugary.

• How can I tell if the cake is baked properly?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake – if it comes out clean with no wet batter, the cake is fully baked. The top should also be golden brown and slightly springy to the touch.

Banana Pecan Caramel Layer Cake Is Showstopping

• Create Culinary Magic: This banana pecan caramel layer cake transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dessert experience with rich, complex flavors that dance on your taste buds.
• Master Gourmet Baking: Perfect for bakers wanting to elevate their skills, this recipe offers a delightful challenge that balances technical precision with delicious rewards, making you feel like a professional pastry chef.
• Crowd-Pleasing Celebration Cake: Ideal for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, or holiday gatherings, this stunning cake will impress guests with its beautiful layers, nutty crunch, and luxurious caramel drizzle that screams indulgence.

What’s Needed For Banana Caramel Cake Layers Here

• All-Purpose Flour: A key ingredient that provides structure and texture to the cake.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, sweet spice and complements the banana flavor.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents that help the cake rise and become light.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.

• Eggs: Bind the ingredients and provide moisture and richness.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures a moist and tender cake texture.
• Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps with caramelization.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and aromatic flavor to the cake.
• Ripe Bananas: Provides natural sweetness and moisture to the cake.

• Pecans: Adds crunch and nutty flavor to the cake layers.
• Sugar, Water: Core ingredients for creating caramel sauce.
• Coconut Milk: Adds creaminess and unique flavor to the caramel sauce.
• Butter: Provides richness and smoothness to both caramel sauce and buttercream.
• Egg Whites: Creates a stable and fluffy buttercream base.
• Caramel Sauce: Adds sweet, rich flavor and moisture to the cake layers.

Baking Banana Pecan Caramel Layer Cake Stepwise

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 350F (175C), getting ready for some baking magic.

Step 2: Prepare Your Baking Playground

Grab your cake pans and create a non-stick wonderland by lining them with parchment paper and giving the sides a quick spray of non-stick magic.

Step 3: Create the Dry Ingredient Symphony

Grab a sifter and gracefully rain down flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt onto a sheet of parchment paper, creating a fluffy cloud of dry ingredients.

Step 4: Blend the Wet Ingredient Dance

• Eggs
• Oil
• Sugar
• Vanilla

Then introduce mashed bananas and mix until they’re perfectly incorporated.

Step 5: Marry the Ingredients

Slowly invite the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until they become one.

Sprinkle in chopped pecans, letting them join the party.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Divide the batter among your prepared pans and send them into the oven for 40-45 minutes.

They’re done when a toothpick comes out clean and triumphant.

Step 7: Cool Down

Let the cakes rest in their pans for 5 minutes, then transfer them to cooling racks to chill out completely.

Step 8: Craft Caramel Sauce

Create liquid gold by heating sugar and water until they turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Whisk in coconut milk and butter until silky smooth.

Step 9: Whip Up Luxurious Buttercream

• Heating egg whites and sugar over boiling water
• Whisking constantly until reaching 160F
• Removing from heat and whipping to stiff peaks
• Gradually beating in softened butter
• Adding vanilla and caramel sauce

Mix until impossibly fluffy and divine.

Step 10: Build Your Cake Masterpiece

Trim the cake tops to create level layers.

Stack the cakes, adding buttercream and caramel sauce between each layer like delicious cement.

Step 11: Final Flourish

Chill the cake, then drizzle extra caramel sauce over the top like a sweet waterfall of deliciousness.

Cake Layer Tips For Ultimate Caramel Cake Success

• Use overripe bananas with brown spots for maximum sweetness and deeper flavor in your cake.
• Lightly coat chopped pecans in flour before folding into batter to prevent them from dropping to the bottom during baking.
• Watch caramel sauce closely when cooking, stirring gently to avoid burning and achieve perfect golden color.
• Ensure eggs, butter, and bananas are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
• Whip egg white mixture until it reaches stiff, glossy peaks for a silky, stable buttercream that holds its shape.

Banana Pecan Caramel Layer Cake Extravaganza Recipe

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4.7 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Irresistible banana pecan caramel layer cake extravaganza delivers a symphony of sweet, nutty flavors that dance across your palate. Rich layers of moist banana cake, caramel drizzle, and crunchy pecans create a dessert masterpiece you won’t forget.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups (300 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups (340 grams) mashed bananas (very ripe)
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) vegetable oil

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups (300 grams) granulated sugar

Flavor and Topping Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• Chopped pecans (to taste)
• 1 1/4 cups (250 grams) sugar (for caramel sauce)
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) water
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) full-fat coconut milk or heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon butter (vegan or regular)
• 2 cups (400 grams) granulated sugar (for buttercream)
• 1 1/2 cups (340 grams) salted butter, softened
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3–4 tablespoons caramel sauce

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C), ensuring an optimal baking temperature for the cake.
2. Carefully line cake pans with parchment paper, lightly spraying sides to prevent potential sticking during baking.
3. Meticulously sift together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt onto a clean surface, creating a uniform dry mixture.
4. Utilize a stand mixer to blend eggs, oil, sugar, and vanilla until achieving a smooth, consistent texture. Incorporate mashed bananas, mixing thoroughly.
5. Gradually introduce dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until fully integrated. Gently fold chopped pecans throughout the batter, distributing evenly.
6. Distribute batter among prepared pans, ensuring equal volume. Bake for 40-45 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean.
7. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 5 minutes, then carefully transfer to cooling racks, permitting complete temperature reduction.
8. Create caramel sauce by heating sugar and water over medium heat until achieving a rich golden color. Whisk in coconut milk and butter, blending until smooth and glossy.
9. Prepare buttercream by warming egg whites and sugar over boiling water, whisking continuously until reaching 160F. Remove from heat, whip to stiff peaks. Gradually incorporate softened butter until fluffy. Blend in vanilla extract and caramel sauce until perfectly smooth.
10. Level cake layers by trimming tops. Stack layers, generously spreading buttercream and caramel sauce between each tier.
11. Refrigerate assembled cake to set, then artfully drizzle additional caramel sauce over the top for a stunning final presentation.

Notes

• Banana Selection Choose ripe, spotty bananas with deep brown spots for maximum natural sweetness and intense banana flavor.
• Pecan Toasting Lightly toast pecans in a dry skillet before chopping to enhance their nutty, rich flavor and create a deeper, more complex taste profile.
• Caramel Precision Watch caramel sauce carefully during cooking to prevent burning, using a light-colored pan helps monitor color changes and ensures perfect golden hue.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation Substitute dairy butter with coconut oil or vegan butter, and use coconut milk or almond milk to create a completely plant-based version of this decadent cake.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 520 kcal
• Sugar: 48 g
• Sodium: 190 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg