A soft, tender crumb is met with chopped nuts, big banana flavor, and a sweet brown butter glaze in this banana bundt cake! The perfect recipe for using up overripe bananas.
Why this recipe works
Banana bundt cake, also known as bananas n cream bundt cake, reinvents the way you’ll use bananas that have been sitting on the counter for too long. While a classic banana bread seems to always hit the spot, it’s nice to whip together something different with equally delicious results. Just wait until you get a whiff of this beauty baking in the oven.
This banana bundt cake has been on my site since 2009 and I have yet to meet anyone who loves banana-flavored goodies who didn’t enjoy a heaping slice of tender bananas n cream cake. The brown butter glaze truly ties it all together!
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
BANANAS – This recipe calls for about 3 medium ripe bananas. The riper the banana, the stronger the banana flavor in your finished cake. Very ripe bananas such as those with a yellow base and brown or black speckles work great, but overripe bananas take the win in my opinion. You can use either or!
How to Make Banana Bundt Cake
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan or fluted tube pan.
- In a large bowl, cream the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Beat in vanilla. Add bananas and mix well.
- Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with sour cream, stirring just until combined. Stir in walnuts.
- Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
- Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
Brown Butter Glaze
- In a medium bowl, add the powdered sugar.
- Place butter in a small saucepan. Melt butter over medium heat until bubbly. Cook, stirring occasionally until golden brown. Remove from heat and pour butter into the bowl of powdered sugar.
- Add milk and vanilla, and stir until smooth.
EXPERT TIP – Place a piece of waxed paper under the wire rack before pouring on the glaze. - Pour over the top of the cake and let it drip over the sides. Use a metal icing spatula to help smooth it out.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
If you would prefer to make this cake without the walnuts, go right ahead. You can also substitute the nuts with chocolate chips if that’s what you fancy.
Store your banana bundt cake in an air-tight container or wrapped well with plastic wrap. Keep at room temperature (without the glaze) or in the refrigerator (with the glaze) for 4-5 days.
You can prepare, bake, and store the banana bundt cake at room temperature without the glaze 1-2 days ahead of time. You can prepare the glaze, store it in an air-tight container, and refrigerate 1-2 days ahead as well but I would suggest topping with the glaze the day of. Because the glaze contains milk it will need to be refrigerated and refrigerating cakes tend to make them dry. Preparing the glaze and cake separately is your best route for success.
Serving Suggestions
A big slice of this banana bundt cake pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea in the morning but is equally as delicious when served as dessert. Top with the brown butter glaze listed in the ingredients below along with extra chopped nuts or opt for a dusting of powdered sugar. Enjoy!
More Banana Recipes
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Banana Bundt Cake
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
- â…“ cup shortening
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups mashed ripe bananas about 3 medium
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces sour cream 1 cup
- ¾ cup chopped walnuts
Brown Butter Glaze
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar sifted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 4-6 Tablespoons milk as needed to thin the glaze
Things You’ll Need
Before You Begin
- Place a piece of waxed paper under the wire rack before adding the glaze. This will help catch the run off.
- This recipe calls for about 3 medium ripe bananas. The riper the banana, the stronger the banana flavor in your finished cake. Both ripe and overripe bananas are great here, it simply comes down to personal preference. Do nut use underripe/green bananas.
- If you would prefer to make this cake without the walnuts, go right ahead. You can also substitute the nuts with chocolate chips if that’s what you fancy.Â
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and flour a 10 inch bundt pan or fluted tube pan.
- In a large bowl, cream the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy with a handheld mixer.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Beat in vanilla. Add bananas and mix well.
- Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with sour cream, stirring just until combined. Stir in walnuts.
- Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
- Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
Brown Butter Glaze
- In a medium bowl, add the powdered sugar.
- Place butter in a small saucepan. Melt butter over medium heat until bubbly. Cook, stirring occasionally until golden brown. Remove from heat and pour butter into the bowl of powdered sugar.
- Add milk and vanilla, stir until smooth.
- Pour over the top of the cake and let it drip over the sides. Use a metal icing spatula to help smooth it out.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- Store your banana bundt cake in an air-tight container or wrapped well with plastic wrap. Keep at room temperature (without the glaze) or in the refrigerator (with the glaze) for 4-5 days.
- Make Ahead – You can prepare, bake, and store the banana bundt cake at room temperature without the glaze 1-2 days ahead of time. You can prepare the glaze, store it in an air-tight container, and refrigerate 1-2 days ahead as well but I would suggest topping with the glaze the day of. Because the glaze contains milk it will need to be refrigerated and refrigerating cakes tend to make them dry. Preparing the glaze and cake separately is your best route for success.
Nutrition
This post originally appeared here on July 7, 2009 and has since been updated with new photos and expert tips.
Amanda Davis
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Amanda says
So glad you enjoyed in Liz! It's a delicious cake :)
Anonymous says
Amanda, I made this over the weekend — fabulous. The glaze is incredible. What a great combination.
Liz in PA
Amanda says
I made this yesterday. Wowzers, it's awesome. So moist and delicious. The icing is a nice smooth flavor, not too sweet. I'm gonna keep this icing recipe and use it on other cakes too. It will be great on a pumpkin cake.
The Gypsy Chef says
On a sugar high these days. This cake looks amazing, gonna have to use up my old bananas making this. Thanks for the post!
Amanda says
Amanda – Hmm, I'm not sure why there were lumps. I just followed the instructions in the recipe, did you deviate from that at all? Did you use butter or margarine? That might make a difference. I used unsalted butter, pure vanilla, sifted powdered sugar and whole milk.
Amanda says
It must be an Amanda thing: your recipe came on the exact day I was trying to figure out what to do with a bunch of bananas before they went bad…again. I made this last night and husband and I had a piece as soon as we could, talk about amazing! My glaze isn't as pretty as yours. I sifted my heart out and still ended up with lumps in my confectioner's sugar. How did you get your glaze so thick and perfect?
Amanda says
Maria, Chef Fresco, Barbara Bakes, finsmom, Katrina, pinkstripes, Rachel, amd Leslie – THANK YOU!
Sonya said: I can't wait to make this tomorrow night. I just love you site.
Sonya, would love to hear how you liked it! :)
Debbie said: Now you know that I will just HAVE TO make this!!!
Debbie, I'll be watching your blog for it :)
Ingrid said: I'm so glad you enjoyed, Amanda and thanks for the shout out!
Ingrid, you're welcome! Thanks for posting the recipe, I knew I had to make it the first time I saw it :)
Pamela said: I have bananas growing more brown as we speak. The brown butter glaze sounds fabulous! Gotta save this one.
Pamela, I'll be watching your blog, hope to see it there! :)
Leslie says
ooh…brown butter glaze. I could eat that by itself! :)
Pamela says
I have bananas growing more brown as we speak. The brown butter glaze sounds fabulous! Gotta save this one.
Ingrid says
Oh, hey! Your cake came out terrific! You did a MUCH better job getting the consistancy of the glaze right and I LOVED the glaze smiley face.
I'm so glad you enjoyed, Amanda and thanks for the shout out!
~ingrid
Rachel says
I wish I had some ripe bananas now!!! This looks delicious!!! My kids and husband love banana-related recipes!!!
pinkstripes says
Oh, that looks wonderful. I love the glaze.
Debbie says
Now you know that I will just HAVE TO make this!!! Great recipe….
Sonya says
Amanda.. My mouth is watering. The pictures are perfect. Yummmy.. I can't wait to make this tomorrow night. I just love you site.
Katrina says
Oh, and that icing smiley is awesome!
Katrina says
Think, think, think….I'm desperately trying to think of a reason to use the four small overripe bananas I've got here and make this cake! Well, I can clearly see why I should make it, I was hoping for an occasion. It just might not matter, I may just make it anyway. Bananas are my favorite thing! Okay, that and chocolate and…..;) It looks great, Amanda!
finsmom says
That glaze sounds heavenly!
Barbara Bakes says
That icing really does make the cake look spectacular!
Chef Fresco says
Mmm I can even see the spice in that icing!
Maria says
I don't care who made it first, I am just glad you did and now I have the recipe. Looks awesome:)