Description
Indulge in a comforting Banana Pecan Caramel Swirl Cake, featuring ripe bananas, crunchy pecans, and a luscious homemade caramel swirl. This Southern-inspired cake is perfect for any occasion and delivers a delightful blend of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Scale
- 250g (2 cups) All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and a tender crumb.
- 1 tsp (5g) Baking Powder: Leavening agent for a light and fluffy cake.
- ½ tsp (2g) Baking Soda: Adds lift and neutralizes acidity.
- ¼ tsp (1g) Salt: Enhances flavors.
- 1 tsp (2g) Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm spice.
- 150g (¾ cup) Granulated Sugar: Sweetness and tender crumb.
- 100g (½ cup) Packed Light Brown Sugar (plus 2 tbsp for glaze): Moisture and caramel flavor.
- 115g (½ cup) Unsalted Butter, Melted (plus 100g for caramel): Richness and tenderness.
- 3 Large Ripe Bananas, Mashed (~340g): Natural sweetness and moisture.
- 2 Large Eggs, Room Temperature: Binds ingredients and adds richness.
- 1 tsp (5ml) Alcohol-Free Vanilla Extract: Enhances flavor.
- 100g (1 cup) Pecan Halves, Roughly Chopped: Adds crunch and nutty flavor.
- 30g (¼ cup) Pecan Halves, Toasted for Garnish: Intense nutty flavor for garnish.
- 60ml (¼ cup) Heavy Cream (for caramel and glaze): Richness and creaminess.
- 2 tbsp (30ml) Pure Maple Syrup (for caramel and glaze): Natural sweetness.
- Pinch of Sea Salt (for caramel and garnish): Enhances sweetness.
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F) and grease a 23cm (9-inch) round cake pan with parchment paper.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Cream melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
- Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract.
- Fold in Bananas: Gently fold in mashed bananas.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add dry ingredients, stirring until just combined; fold in pecans.
- Layer Batter: Spoon half the batter into the pan.
- Prepare Caramel Swirl: Melt butter and brown sugar, then stir in cream, maple syrup, and salt; simmer until thickened.
- Swirl Caramel: Drop caramel over batter and swirl gently.
- Top with Batter: Pour remaining batter over caramel layer.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool and Glaze: Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then invert and cool completely; drizzle with glaze.
- Garnish and Serve: Scatter toasted pecans and a pinch of salt over the glaze.
Notes
For a moist cake, avoid overmixing the batter. Toasting pecans enhances their flavor. Using very ripe bananas is key for sweetness and moisture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: banana,pecan,caramel,cake,swirl,dessert,baking,southern,comfort food