This is simply the best banana pecan cake! Freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest lend fruity flavor while pecans add crunch to this moist and delicious cake. The cream cheese frosting brings this over the top!
I love baking with Bananas. The fact that I have many recipes here that use bananas is proof of how much I love this amazing fruit. It just adds so much flavor and moisture to any baked good.
I love seeing the brown speckles in banana bread. I often buy bananas just so I can make banana bread! Yes, I am truly bananas over bananas!
I already have a delicious tried and tested recipe for Banana Bread in this blog which has received so many wonderful reviews from our readers.
I thought of adapting that same recipe to make a Banana Cake – with the same citrus flavor from freshly squeezed orange juice and grated zest added for that extra tang and yummy taste.
As expected, the cake was moist and delightful. It being a cake, I have decided to add some delicious frosting as well. This truly enhances the already delectable cake.
I also like adding some toasted pecans on top of the cake – either whole ones just added on each slice or when I’m feeling indulgent – I sprinkle a whole lot more!
So you can imagine how your taste buds will sing joyfully when they savor each delicious mouthful. Hope you try this truly tasty cake soon!
To print the recipe and for full instructions, see the recipe card below.
INGREDIENTS for BEST BANANA PECAN CAKE
- all-purpose Flour
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Bananas (use super-ripe Bananas with dark spots on its skin)
- Lemon Juice and zest (fresh Orange juice plus zest may be used instead)
- Butter
- Brown sugar (can use white, too and cake will be paler in color)
- Eggs
- Vanilla Extract
- Buttermilk
- Pecans, chopped
*You can use a food processor to mash the bananas.
*You can also use regular white sugar (cake is slightly darker if brown sugar is used).
For the frosting (The best and yummiest frosting!)
- Butter (softened)
- Cream cheese (softened and get a good quality one)
- Confectioners or Icing Sugar
- Vanilla Extract
It’s great with or without frosting! Enjoy!
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Best Banana Pecan Cake
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose Flour
- 1½ tsp Baking Soda
- ½ tsp Salt
- 4 large very ripe Bananas, mashed*
- 3 tbsp Lemon Juice and zest of 1 Lemon, or 4 Tablespoons fresh Orange juice plus zest of 1 Orange
- 3/4 cup unsalted Butter, softened
- 1½ cups brown Sugar, can use white, too but the cake will be paler in color
- 3 large Eggs
- 2 tsps Vanilla Extract
- 1½ cups Buttermilk
- 1 cup Pecans, chopped
For the frosting
- ½ cup unsalted Butter, softened
- 1 (8oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 3½ cups Confectioners or Icing Sugar
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300 F (yes, that’s the right temperature). Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish. Set aside. If you are in a hurry you can also preheat to 325 F.Whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, mix the mashed bananas with the orange juice and zest. Set aside.Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat the eggs one at a time then add the vanilla extract. Stir in the banana-orange mixture. On low speed, alternately add the flour and the buttermilk to the mixture, beginning and ending with the flour. Gently fold in the nuts.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish and bake in the preheated oven (300 F) for about 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If baking at 325 F, check cake around 45-50 minutes to see if it’s done. Oven heating varies so please adjust baking time accordingly.
For the frosting
- Using an electric mixer, beat together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth. On low speed, add the powdered sugar one cup at a time and continue until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Beat in the Vanilla extract. Spread evenly on top of the cooled cake. Place 1 or 2 whole pecans on each slice. Enjoy!
Notes
You can also use regular white sugar (cake is slightly darker if brown sugar is used).
Nutrition
Last updated on October 26th, 2023 at 10:03 pm
Yum, completely irresistible!
Thank you and hope you enjoy it.
The buttermilk and orange zest must this cake amazing. I have to try this.
Thanks for the kind invitation and hope you enjoy it.
should this be bake in the lowest level in the oven?
Leave your rack in the middle level of the oven.
I luv banana-anythings and fantastic addition of using the orange juice and zest, will definitely be trying too! Thanks for sharing. 😉
I LOVE bananas in just about anything. This cake looks especially moist. It's on my must-try list.
This cake looks amazing, my kids love anything that involves bananas, they'll be thrilled when I make it!
You are so right the orange will really enhance the flavor of this dish greatly!
this just looks so moist and delicious…brown sugar is great for this recipe xoxo
Can’t wait to bake it!
Love your post.
I made it and the icing with coconut sugar and used lemon for the buttermilk. It came out so moist and delicious!!! Thank you! 🙂
Author
So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for letting us know.
Hi is there a way to make a Vegan version of this recipe? Let me know thank you! ^^
Author
I haven’t made a vegan version of this. Sorry. However, it’s worth a try. You need to perhaps find an egg substitute and maybe use coconut cream for the frosting.
I love anything with pecan in it, so this banana cake looks amazing to me.
I’ve made banana cake before but never with pecans…this gave such great flavor and crunch! Simple and delicious 🙂
You had me at bananas and pecans. Your cake looks delicious and I love the sound of the cream cheese frosting, thanks for sharing.
This looks so delicious and tasty! I can’t wait to give this a try! My kids and hubby are going to love this! So excited!
Great banana cake recipe! I always come back to this when I have lots of overripe bananas 🙂
I love any dessert with pecans and this looks delicious. I can’t wait to try it.
Love everything about this banana pecan cake recipe! So moist and delicious!
Such a big hit here at the house! Definitely one of our favorites! So excited to make this again soon!
I love baking with bananas and often make banana bread and muffins. This cake looks so good. I’m definitely putting it on my to-make list! The addition of pecans and lemon juice and zest sounds delicious!
This banana pecan cake is moist and delicious with the perfect crumb. I made this for my parents and dropped it off to them last week. They’re already asking if I can make it for them again!
Can you freeze this cake with good results? If so, can you do it frosted or should it remain unfrosted for freezing?
Author
I have never tried freezing it as it’s gone so quickly when I bring it to potlucks. I would suggest freezing them unfrosted and if possible in slices (for easier thawing). Wrap each piece in saran or plastic first once cooled and then wrap all over with aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Store for up to 3 months then fully thaw before frosting.
Is the cake better with lemon juice or orange juice?
Author
I use lemons.
Can I use a sugar substitute, Splenda, instead
Author
I only use regular sugar for my baking so I’m not sure but you’ve used splenda for baking before – may be worth a try.
I think I just messed up my cake. It’s in the oven now I just realized I put baking powder instead of baking soda is this going to ruin it. I’m so upset at myself!
Author
No, I don’t think it should. Sorry for late response, just seeing this. We’ve been having a busy summer with guests coming in and out. Hope it turned out well.
This cake is scrumptious, it is delicious I could eat the whole cake.
Author
I am so happy to know this! My daughter loves this cake so I am glad you enjoyed this, too. Thank you for letting us know.