When I came across this Caramel Banana Cake from thekitchn, I was smitten.
I think approximately 27 minutes elasped from the time I viewed it on my computer screen to the time I had one gently baking in the oven.
But dont let me get ahead on myself.
The batter. Oh my the batter. It is creamy silky deliciousness. And you know what they say about good batter.
Its, uh, good.
Er something.
I had big plans for the frosting design outside. Until I actually looked at the cake. The delicate caramel swirls and marbling effect was just beautiful. I decided in that moment that it would be a shame to cover it up!
But. I loves me some frosting, so I added some around the edges.
Caramel Buttercream
4 cups powder sugar
1/4 cup shortening
1 tablespoon caramel topping (I used Hershey's)
1-6 tablespoons of milk to reach desired consistency
Cream shortening, milk, and caramel together on low speed and slowly add in sugar until fully incorporated.
For the individual slice I just drizzled some of the same caramel topping over the top. Its not necessary as the caramel in the cake can stand on its own... but I have never been known to bake with "reason" and "sensibility".
This cake is a notch up from a fantastic banana bread, only in that you can eat it with frosting.
Isnt everything better with frosting???
This is one of those recipes that I will be making again and again. Its easy and delicious and helps me use up all those pesky brown bananas. Cause I buy lots of bananas. Like five pounds a week. At least. But anyway.
Be sure to check out the recipe over at thekitchn!
Oh, and I added this cake into the amazing round up over at Tidymom's blog. Each week hundreds of folks add something that they are "Lovin"! Last week I was even lucky enough to guest post and share everything that caught my eye... so if you want you can see what *I* was lovin! :)
OMG you've done it again. YUM!
Posted by: Stephanie Meyer (Fresh Tart) | Jul 11, 2011 at 01:48 PM
Mmmm....looks amazing!! I always thought my banana bread needed some frosting and caramel drizzle!! :)
Posted by: Cookbook Queen | Jul 11, 2011 at 01:50 PM
love it, think I can smell it...not...almost...I'm going to try to make it..thanks ..gina f
Posted by: gina florencia | Jul 11, 2011 at 01:57 PM
this looks fabulous! I love banana bread...and obviously everything is better with frosting! this is yum central.
Posted by: Hannah at FleurDeLicious | Jul 11, 2011 at 02:00 PM
This is torture as I tackle day 5 of no carbs - I so wish I could have this right now - BEAUTIFUL.
Posted by: Lucy Lean | Jul 11, 2011 at 02:09 PM
Banana cake is probably my favorite cake - even above chocolate! This is making my mouth water.
Posted by: Jessica @ How Sweet | Jul 11, 2011 at 02:15 PM
Wow, that looks AMAZING!
Posted by: Juliet | Jul 11, 2011 at 02:16 PM
Yay! An Amanda-tested banana cake for using up brown bananas. Can't wait to try it - thanks!
Posted by: Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles | Jul 11, 2011 at 02:23 PM
I am always looking for new banana recipes! LOVE this cake!
Posted by: Maria | Jul 11, 2011 at 02:30 PM
OH I am all over this! YUM!
Posted by: Christina | Jul 11, 2011 at 02:31 PM
I love the idea of only frosting the sides of a cake! I always feel like its a shame to cover up the top of a cake, but I love the frosting! This is a great idea, I'm definitely using this on my next cake. And caramel and bananas can never go wrong.
Posted by: Naina | Jul 11, 2011 at 02:44 PM
Eu amo bananas! =) Que delícia!
Beijos,
Vinni
Posted by: Amehlia Digital | Jul 11, 2011 at 03:03 PM
Wow....heaven in a slice.
Posted by: Caroline @ chocolate and carrots | Jul 11, 2011 at 03:13 PM
This looks way too good not to try- I am a big fan of banana bread with nuts in it- do you think this cake would be good with nuts in it?
Posted by: Kara | Jul 11, 2011 at 03:23 PM
Ooo, I agree--I think I can almost smell the deliciousness of this cake! Can't wait to try this...in like a month when I can move again. What good motivation: cake! :)
Posted by: Londa | Jul 11, 2011 at 03:25 PM
Yes, EVERYTHING is better with frosting...even broccoli. At least, I think it would be.
I bet this cake is heavenly...and I love that caramel drizzle over the top.
Posted by: bridget {bake at 350} | Jul 11, 2011 at 03:30 PM
Now THAT is my kind of banana bread...err, cake. Yum.
Posted by: Shaina | Jul 11, 2011 at 04:10 PM
Oh how I wish I didn't just put those ripe bananas in the freezer!! It looks delicious!
Posted by: Lorie | Jul 11, 2011 at 04:43 PM
Like banana bread with frosting?! I think my husband is going to love you even more after this, banana bread is his favorite!
Posted by: Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen | Jul 11, 2011 at 07:43 PM
That looks delish! I'll have to give this a try for my dad who loves banana cake. I make him one every few months, a different recipe would be a nice change.
Posted by: Renee | Jul 11, 2011 at 08:03 PM
this looks delightful!
Posted by: trisha | Jul 11, 2011 at 09:55 PM
Love the simplicity of this cake, and it looks so moist!
Posted by: Nelly Rodriguez | Jul 11, 2011 at 10:00 PM
Oh my lord. You should make a Dulce de Leche cake!
Posted by: Lindsey | Jul 11, 2011 at 10:02 PM
Yum! I'll have to give it a try sometime!
Posted by: Kari | Jul 12, 2011 at 12:15 AM
Yummy, delicoius...mmmmm!!!! I want one of these right now!!!!!
Posted by: | Jul 12, 2011 at 02:29 AM
This looks dangerously addicting...i love the way you have frosted just the sides, i have never seen that before but it does indeed give you the best of both worlds! Lovely cake indeed :)
Posted by: Sasha @ The Procrastobaker | Jul 12, 2011 at 04:36 AM
Do you think it would be okay to make cupcakes instead of a cake? What are you feelings on this?
Posted by: Mary Juckett | Jul 12, 2011 at 07:36 AM
Beautiful...I'm always looking for something fun to do with brown bananas. Definitely bookmarking this!
Posted by: Diana @ a girl, a dog and an oven | Jul 12, 2011 at 08:07 AM
Okay Amanda, I drool over all your cakes, but this one, this one ... yum!
Posted by: Amy | She Wears Many Hats | Jul 12, 2011 at 08:58 AM
oh. my. goodness. That looks and sounds AMAZING! Love the idea of frosting the edges as to not take away from the beauty of the cake but add some extra sweetness to it!!
Posted by: Kelly | Jul 12, 2011 at 10:13 AM
I just happen to have some brown bananas and a can of dulce de leche. This will be in my oven tonight.
Posted by: Patricia Calef | Jul 12, 2011 at 12:02 PM
You have managed to put the my favorite dessert flavors together into one cake! So pretty tooooo.
Posted by: Georgia Pellegrini | Jul 12, 2011 at 01:26 PM
This looks wonderfully moist and delicious. I'm definitely going to try it.
Posted by: Paula | Jul 12, 2011 at 02:01 PM
Oh Goodness. I'm drooling!
Posted by: MzCosby | Jul 12, 2011 at 02:08 PM
Simple and delicious, and for all us frosting freaks out here it still fulfills our every fantasy. Now I just have to get some bananas...
Posted by: Amy | Jul 12, 2011 at 07:55 PM
I LOVE banana add cake and add in caramel...Oh.My. Word. Beautiful!
Posted by: Jamie | My Baking Addiction | Jul 13, 2011 at 05:44 PM
Love Love Love this!!!
Posted by: Kathleen | Jul 13, 2011 at 06:43 PM
Banana cakes are my absolute FAVORITE!!! So delicious and yours is SO making me drool!
You have the most gorgeous cake stands, Amanda. Do you find them all at yard sales, second hand stores or is there a great place online that you go to?
Posted by: Lynne @ 365 Days of Baking | Jul 14, 2011 at 07:59 AM
Do you think this would last a few days and still taste good? I am thinking about making it on a Thursday night for a Saturday night party...Would you frost it ahead of time, or the day of the party? Thanks!
Posted by: Audrey | Jul 14, 2011 at 11:18 AM
Delicious!! I'm not a big fan of bananas, but I bet this is fantastic...I loooove caramel.
P.S. LOVE the idea of leaving the top uncovered...then drizzling it. Wonderful!
Posted by: Darla @ Bakingdom | Jul 14, 2011 at 12:18 PM
Banana cake is my favorite. I love how you didn't frost the top! Cool idea.
Posted by: Kristen | Jul 14, 2011 at 04:21 PM
I definitely book marked this recipe too and hope to make it one day. I'm glad it turned out so well for you!
Posted by: Danielle | Jul 14, 2011 at 09:17 PM
Can we talk about this cake? I LOVE caramel anything. I love even the word caramel! Don't even like bananas and I want to eat this whole thing!
Posted by: the urban baker | Jul 14, 2011 at 09:35 PM
I can see why you were smitten!
Posted by: Sue | Jul 14, 2011 at 10:08 PM
Those swirls are pretty! And caramel buttercream is heavenly!
Posted by: Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen | Jul 15, 2011 at 09:16 AM
Made the cake. Fantastic!!!!!! It is so moist that I think it will keep for many days---in the frig.
Question----while in the oven, the pans overflowed (luckily I had a baking stone in the oven that caught the overflow). The cake pans were only about 2/3 full before baking.
By the way, my preference is unfrosted since the cake is so moist. Also, be sure to refrigerate before putting the layers together or frosting.
Posted by: gramps | Jul 15, 2011 at 10:34 AM
another winner, for sure! caramel buttercream? be still, my heart!
and hey--thanks for sending me the links to your girly cakes. your creations are so inspiring!
Posted by: grace | Jul 15, 2011 at 05:25 PM
Hi, I would so like to bake this cake for my birthday on friday, but I am Danish, and I'm having a littel trouble finding out what shortening is?? Could you help me?
Posted by: von Rix | Jul 16, 2011 at 04:33 AM
This truly is a beautiful cake. The frosting idea was perfect.
Posted by: sweetsugarbelle | Jul 16, 2011 at 03:17 PM
You had me with caramel and banana. I love the kitchn but somehow missed this recipe! :)
Posted by: Farmgirl Susan | Jul 17, 2011 at 04:19 PM