Tropical Island Banana Cake Recipes

THE BEST BANANA CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9-by-13-inch baking pan (see Cook's Note) with aluminum foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the two longer sides. Lightly spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
• For the cake, mash the bananas in a large bowl with a fork or potato masher until very smooth. Whisk in the dark brown sugar, melted butter, sour cream, eggs and vanilla until smooth and combined. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.
• Fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture in thirds until just combined. Pour into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top. Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Leave the cake in the pan to cool slightly, about 30 minutes. Use the foil overhang to remove the cake from the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, beat the butter, cream cheese and salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Reduce to low speed, then add the powdered sugar a cup at a time until smooth. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Beat in the vanilla extract.
• Transfer 1/2 cup of the frosting to a small bowl and stir in the dulce de leche until smooth. Cover both frostings with plastic wrap and keep at room temperature until ready to assemble the cake.
• For the candied banana chips, warm the maple syrup in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat until it just starts bubbling. Add the banana chips and cook, tossing and stirring frequently with a rubber spatula, until the chips have absorbed almost all the maple syrup and are browned in spots, 3 to 4 minutes. Immediately transfer the banana chips to a baking sheet, spread in an even layer and cool completely. Once cool, roughly chop.
• Transfer the cake to a serving platter. Spread about 3/4 cup plain cream cheese frosting all over the top of the cake.
• Dollop the dulce de leche frosting and remaining plain frosting on top, then use a small offset spatula to swirl both frostings together in a swooping design, making sure the frosting goes all the way to the edges of the cake. Top with the chopped candied banana chips.

TROPICAL ISLAND BUNDT® CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a fluted tube pan (such as Bundt®).
• Mix bananas, pineapple juice, water, applesauce, eggs, and coconut extract with an electric mixer until well combined. Add cake mix, coconut, and pudding mix; mix on medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Let cake cool in the pan.
• Combine brown sugar, cream, and butter for the sauce in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Add rum and crushed pineapple and boil, stirring occasionally, until it starts to thicken, 4 to 5 minutes. Set aside to cool down.
• Poke holes all around the top of the cake still in the pan. Pour about 1/3 of the sauce over the cake with a spoon, trying not to get the pineapple during this stage. Place a serving plate on top of the cake pan and invert the cake, holding onto the pan and plate tightly. Pour remaining sauce and pineapples evenly over the cake. Let sit until cake has absorbed the sauce, about 30 minutes. Slice and serve.

TROPICAL BANANA CAKE

Steps:

• Mix the dry ingredients for the cake in a large bowl.
• Add the banana, buttermilk and shortening, mix on medium with an electric mixer.
• Add the eggs and vanilla, mix until well incorporated.
• Pour batter into 1 9x13" pan which has been greased and floured, or 2 8" pans that have been greased and floured.
• Bake at 350 for 35 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
• Remove cakes from oven and cool.
• For 8" layers, cool 10 minutes in the pans, turn out onto racks and cool completely.
• Frosting----------.
• Mix the brown sugar with the butter until combined.
• Add milk and mix until combine.
• Add pecans and coconut.
• For a 9x13 cake-------.
• Cover the cake with the frosting mixture and put under a broiler for 3-4 minutes.
• For the layer cake: Put the layers on a cookie sheet and spread each one with half of the frosting.
• Broil for 3-4 minutes.
• Let cool completely before assembling the cake.
• This makes a very good, rustic looking layer cake.