If you’re craving a delightful, fresh cake that’s easy to make, this Strawberry Banana Cake is just what you need. Perfect for gatherings, birthdays, or just a cozy day at home, this recipe combines the sweetness of strawberries with the rich flavor of bananas. It’s light, fruity, and topped with a whipped cream frosting that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Follow this step-by-step recipe to create a moist, flavorful, and irresistibly easy strawberry banana cake.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2-3 bananas)
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, diced
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup milk (whole or buttermilk for added richness)
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the Frosting:
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Fresh strawberry slices and banana slices, for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare and Preheat
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Mash Bananas and Dice Strawberries
- In a bowl, mash the bananas until smooth, leaving some small chunks for texture.
- Dice strawberries into small pieces. Set aside for later.
Step 3: Make the Batter
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in the mashed bananas and vanilla extract until combined.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk. Begin and end with the flour mixture to avoid overmixing.
- Gently fold in the diced strawberries.
Step 5: Bake the Cake
- Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
Step 6: Prepare the Whipped Cream Frosting
- In a chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form.
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then continue whipping until stiff peaks form, about 2-3 minutes.
Step 7: Frost the Cake
- Spread the whipped cream frosting evenly over the cooled cake.
- Garnish with fresh strawberry and banana slices arranged decoratively on top.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy!
- Slice the cake and serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to serve. This cake is best enjoyed within 1-2 days for maximum freshness and flavor.
Tips for the Best Strawberry Banana Cake
- Choose Ripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful the cake will be.
- Fresh Strawberries: Fresh strawberries work best for this recipe. If using frozen strawberries, make sure to thaw and drain them well to prevent excess moisture.
- Avoid Overmixing: For a tender cake, mix the batter just until combined. Overmixing can make the cake dense.
- Chill the Whipped Cream: Chilling the mixing bowl and beaters will help the whipped cream frosting stay stable and fluffy.
Variations
- Chocolate Chip Strawberry Banana Cake: Add a handful of chocolate chips to the batter for a chocolatey twist.
- Nutty Delight: Fold in chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch.
- Layered Cake: Use round cake pans for a layered cake version and frost between the layers.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Since this cake contains fresh fruit and whipped cream, store it in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
- Freezer: You can freeze the unfrosted cake for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly and thaw in the fridge before adding frosting.
Nutritional Information (per slice)
- Calories: 290
- Protein: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fat: 17g
- Fiber: 1g
