It should come as no surprise that Banana Cake with Walnuts was something that was often made growing up in my household. Because our mother's didn't let anything go to waste.
Overripen bananas including roasted walnuts make this recipe an exceptional option that avoids waste and provides sustenance to your family.
Like Bananas? Try my recipe for Chocolate Banana Muffins, Banana Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins, Peach Cobbler with Canned Peaches or my amazing Raisin Banana Bread recipe.

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Here's Why You'll Love this Dish
- simple to make
- prevents food waste
- intense flavor for banana lovers
- versatile ingredients
Have a sweet tooth? Try my recipe for Mom's Calabrese Chinulille, my Savoiardi Ladyfinger Biscuits or Calabrese Scalille with Honey.
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Ingredients
Simple ingredients go into this recipe for Banana Cake with Walnuts like overripen banana, sugar, butter, vanilla extract, eggs, flour, baking soda, salt and walnuts.
See recipe for full details.
What's the difference between Banana Bread and Banana Loaf
To the eye Banana Bread and Banana Loaf seem very similar. However, banana bread uses a different flour and is generally made with yeast. Banana bread also, is slightly denser and dryer than Banana Loaf. As well, Banana Bread typically needs to rise and doesn't have any of the added ingredients like nuts or raisins.
Banana Loaf is more of a dessert and is usually a little moister than banana bread that comes from a fat like butter. Also banana loaf is more of a dessert and it typically more sweeter than banana bread. Banana Loaf usually has added ingredients like nuts, raisins, carrots and is baked in a loaf pan.
So that's a simple explanation of some of the differences between banana bread and banana loaf.
How to Make Banana Cake with Walnuts
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease cake pan with butter and flour.
Roast walnuts in a pan then chop them.
Lightly beat the butter with the sugar. Add mashed bananas, reserving one for the top of the cake. Add eggs and vanilla extract.
Combine flour and salt in a bowl and mix, then add to wet ingredients. Add chocolate chips and walnuts to batter and mix.
Scoop batter into buttered baking dish and top with sliced banana.
Let bake for 50 to 60 minutes.
Storage:
Because moist cakes tend to mold, you should store this cake by placing plastic wrap over top and refrigerating it.
This cake can also be frozen and then thawed out in the refrigerator overnight. You might want to also consider slicing the cake before freezing that way you can take out a slice at a time.
Top Tips
Although the recipe calls for 3 bananas you can use 4. Use 3 for the batter and then slice one to cover the batter.
Eliminate the added salt if you are using salted butter.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are some ideas on how you can change up this recipe for Banana Cake
- Walnuts - eliminate walnuts for a nut free option
- Raisins - add raisins for a sweet chewy option
- Confectioner's Sugar - sprinkle the top of the cake with confectioner's sugar for a sophisticated look
- Frosting - frost your banana cake with a vanilla icing for an over the top indulgence
The perfect recipe isn't that far away. I'd love to know how you substituted ingredients to fit your dietary needs. Drop a comment below and let me know!
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions
To the eye Banana Bread and Banana Loaf seem very similar. However, banana bread uses a different flour and is generally made with yeast. Banana bread also, is slightly denser and dryer than Banana Loaf. Banana Bread typically needs to rise and doesn't have any of the added ingredients like nuts or raisins.
Banana loaf got it's name because it was originally baked in a loaf pan. Today, banana loaf is baked in many types of pans.
Other Desserts to Try
Recipe Details
Banana Cake with Walnuts
https://easyhomemaderecipes.caIngredients
- 3 bananas
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp salt eliminate if using salted butter
- ⅔ cup walnuts roasted - optional
- ½ cup chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease cake pan with butter and flour.
- Roast walnuts in a pan then chop them. Set aside.
- Lightly beat the butter with the sugar. Add mashed bananas, reserving one for the top of the cake. Add eggs and vanilla extract.
- Combine flour and salt in a bowl and mix, then add to wet ingredients. Add chocolate chips and walnuts to batter and mix. Scoop batter into buttered baking dish and top with sliced banana.
- Let bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Use a toothpick to check doneness in centre. Set aside and let cool for 10 minutes until removing from pan.
Notes
Top Tips
Although the recipe calls for 3 bananas you can use 4. Use 3 for the batter and then slice one to cover the batter. Eliminate the added salt if you are using salted butter.Nutrition
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Food Safety
Note that the storage guidelines provided on this page and site are estimates from personal experiences. We are all adults and as an adult you are responsible to ensure that the food you eat is safe to eat. Since, I'm not a food safety expert, you are responsible to review your local guidelines on food storage prior to storing any food left-overs.
Remember to:
- Not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
For Canadian Guidelines check the Government of Canada Food Safety Guidelines or see more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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