Luscious Banana Caramel Dream Cake Recipe

Quick & Sweet Banana Caramel Dream Cake Recipe

Decadent layers of moist banana caramel dream cake send taste buds on a luxurious journey through pure dessert bliss.

Soft, tender banana-infused cake meets rich, golden caramel in a symphony of sweet indulgence.

Each slice promises a velvety texture that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

The combination of ripe bananas and deep caramel creates a dessert that feels like a warm culinary embrace.

Delicate and sophisticated, this cake elevates any gathering from ordinary to extraordinary.

Subtle notes of vanilla and brown sugar weave through the recipe, creating depth and complexity.

You won’t be able to resist another forkful of this irresistible treat that transforms simple ingredients into a masterpiece of flavor.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 13

Heavenly Banana Caramel Dream Cake Ingredient Breakdown

For Cake Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and tender crumb for the perfect cake foundation.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cake rise and creates light, airy texture with subtle tangy notes.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor balance and brings out sweetness in the cake.
For Moisture and Flavor:
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds rich, creamy depth and helps create tender cake texture.
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Brings deep caramelized sweetness and moisture to the cake.
  • Ripe Bananas: Delivers natural sweetness, intense banana flavor, and incredible moisture.
  • Sour Cream: Creates incredibly tender crumb and adds subtle tangy richness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, complex aromatic undertones throughout the cake.
For Binding and Structure:
  • Eggs: Binds ingredients together and provides essential structure and lift.
For Caramel Filling:
  • Brown Sugar: Creates deep, molasses-like caramel flavor with rich golden color.
  • Heavy Cream: Adds silky smooth texture and luxurious richness to caramel.
  • Butter: Provides smooth, glossy finish and intense buttery notes.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances caramel's complexity with warm aromatic undertones.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies caramel's deep flavor profile.
For Frosting:
  • Unsalted Butter: Creates smooth, spreadable base with rich creamy texture.
  • Cream Cheese: Delivers tangy, luxurious backdrop for sweet frosting.
  • Powdered Sugar: Provides perfect sweetness and smooth consistency.

Tools for Heavenly Banana Caramel Dream Cake Success

  • Electric Mixer: Essential for creaming butter, beating frosting, and ensuring smooth batter consistency.
  • Saucepan: Perfect for preparing rich caramel filling over stovetop.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Critical for accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Whisk: Great for blending dry ingredients and ensuring even mixture.
  • 8-inch Round Cake Pans (3): Needed for baking cake layers evenly.
  • Cooling Rack: Helps cake layers cool completely without getting soggy.
  • Spatula: Useful for spreading frosting and caramel between cake layers.
  • Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing for clean insertion.
  • Large Mixing Bowls (2): One for dry ingredients, another for wet ingredients.
  • Plate or Cake Stand: Provides platform for assembling and presenting the cake.

Heavenly Banana Caramel Dream Cake Preparation

  • Cake Prep Area

Create a clean workspace with all necessary baking tools and ingredients ready for smooth cake creation.

  • Cake Layer Foundation

Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl, ensuring even distribution of flour, baking soda, and salt for perfectly textured cake layers.

  • Banana Blending

Combine soft butter with sugars, creating a creamy base. Gently incorporate eggs, mashed bananas, sour cream, and vanilla for rich flavor complexity.

  • Baking Magic

Pour batter into prepared cake pans, spreading evenly. Bake until golden and a toothpick emerges clean, signaling a perfect cake foundation.

  • Caramel Sensation

Craft a luxurious caramel filling by simmering brown sugar, cream, and butter. Allow the mixture to develop deep, complex flavors before cooling.

  • Creamy Frosting Creation

Whip butter and cream cheese into a silky smooth mixture, gradually adding powdered sugar for a decadent, velvety texture.

  • Cake Assembly

Layer cake rounds with alternating frosting and caramel filling, creating a stunning vertical flavor profile.

  • Final Flourish

Coat the entire cake with remaining frosting, drizzle with additional caramel, and sprinkle with toasted pecans for a stunning presentation.

Variation Ideas for Heavenly Banana Caramel Dream Cake

  • Baking Brilliance: Expert tips to elevate your Banana Caramel Dream Cake experience.
  • Ripeness Matters: Use overripe bananas with dark brown spots for maximum sweetness and intense banana flavor. The softer and darker the bananas, the more moisture and natural sugar they'll bring to your cake.
  • Caramel Consistency Check: When making caramel filling, watch the color carefully. Golden amber means perfect caramelization – too light lacks depth, while dark brown risks bitter notes. Use a candy thermometer for precision.
  • Frosting Finesse: Keep cream cheese and butter at room temperature for smooth, lump-free frosting. Beat ingredients gradually to prevent separation and achieve silky texture. Sift powdered sugar to eliminate potential clumps.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: This cake tastes even better the next day. Store covered in refrigerator for up to three days. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore optimal texture and flavor complexity.
  • Storage Secrets: For best preservation, wrap individual cake slices in plastic wrap or store in airtight container. Refrigeration helps maintain moisture and extends cake's delectable freshness.

How to Serve Heavenly Banana Caramel Dream Cake

  • Sweet Banana Bliss Pairing: Serve this luscious cake alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a creamy, cool contrast that highlights the cake's warm caramel and banana flavors.
  • Cozy Coffee Companion: Enjoy a slice with a rich, dark roast coffee or a smooth cappuccino to balance the cake's sweetness and enhance its deep caramel notes.
  • Elegant Dessert Presentation: Plate individual servings on vintage china with a light dusting of powdered sugar and a fresh banana slice to create a restaurant-quality dessert experience that wows guests.
  • Nutty Crunch Topper: Sprinkle extra toasted pecans around the plate's edge or on top of each slice to add a delightful crunch and nutty depth that complements the cake's soft texture.

Storage Advice for Heavenly Banana Caramel Dream Cake

  • Cake Storage Solutions: Keep cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor preservation.
  • Smart Room Temperature Trick: Remove cake from fridge 30 minutes before serving to soften frosting and enhance taste experience.
  • Freezing Friendly Method: Wrap individual cake layers tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 2 months, perfect for advance preparation.
  • Caramel Care Strategy: Store leftover caramel filling separately in an airtight container inside the refrigerator. Use within one week for optimal quality and taste.
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Luscious Banana Caramel Dream Cake Recipe

Luscious Banana Caramel Dream Cake Recipe


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4.9 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Banana caramel dream cake delivers pure indulgence with layers of rich banana-infused sponge and silky caramel frosting. Dessert enthusiasts will delight in this sweet masterpiece that promises comfort and elegance in each delectable slice.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup (113 g, 4 oz) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (220 g) brown sugar
  • ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
  • ¼ cup (57 g, 2 oz) unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (113 g, 4 oz) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar
  • 2 tsps vanilla extract
  • ½ cup caramel sauce
  • whole pecans for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and thoroughly grease cake pans with butter, dusting with flour to prevent sticking.
  2. Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined and lump-free.
  3. Butter Mixture: Cream butter and sugars in a large mixing bowl until fluffy and significantly increased in volume, creating a light, airy base.
  4. Egg Integration: Add eggs one at a time, mixing completely after each addition to ensure smooth incorporation and prevent curdling.
  5. Wet Ingredients: Mash bananas and blend with sour cream and vanilla, folding gently into the butter mixture to create a cohesive, fragrant batter.
  6. Batter Preparation: Delicately fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring minimally to maintain the batter’s delicate texture and prevent deflation.
  7. Baking Process: Divide batter evenly between prepared pans, smoothing surfaces with a spatula, and bake for 25-30 minutes, rotating midway to ensure uniform golden-brown coloration.
  8. Cooling: Transfer baked layers to wire racks, allowing complete cooling to stabilize cake structure and prevent moisture accumulation.
  9. Caramel Creation: Combine brown sugar, heavy cream, and butter in a saucepan, bringing to a gentle boil and simmering to develop rich, complex flavors.
  10. Caramel Finishing: Remove from heat, incorporate vanilla and salt, stirring until smooth, then cool to room temperature for optimal spreading consistency.
  11. Frosting Development: Whip butter and cream cheese until seamlessly blended, gradually adding powdered sugar and vanilla to achieve a light, creamy texture.
  12. Cake Assembly: Layer cake with frosting and caramel, building a stable structure and ensuring even distribution of flavors.
  13. Final Touches: Completely frost exterior, creating a smooth finish, then embellish with caramel drizzle and chopped pecans for visual and textural contrast.

Notes

  • Prep Pan Perfectly: Butter and flour cake pans generously to guarantee seamless cake removal without sticking.
  • Mix Dry Ingredients Thoroughly: Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together to eliminate lumps and ensure even distribution.
  • Handle Eggs Carefully: Add eggs one at a time, mixing completely after each addition to maintain batter’s smooth texture.
  • Avoid Overmixing: Fold dry ingredients gently into wet mixture to preserve the batter’s airiness and prevent tough cake texture.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 45 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 54 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg
Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts

Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

Dietary Planning​, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education​, Content Development​

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
  • Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.​

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

  • Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice. ​

Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating. 

Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.

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