Moist Amish Banana Nut Cake with Decadent Penuche Frosting
This delightful moist Amish Banana Nut Cake is a family favorite, especially for birthday celebrations. It combines the rich, sweet flavors of overripe bananas and crunchy black walnuts, creating the perfect texture and taste. Topped with a velvety penuche frosting made with brown sugar and butter, this cake is sure to impress! Best of all, it can be made in advance and stored at room temperature, making it a convenient option for busy bakers. Perfect for serving at gatherings or enjoying a slice with your morning coffee!
N/A
Servings
267
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Vegetable Shortening
2/3 cup (Softened)
Sugar
1 2/3 cups (Granulated)
Eggs
3 whole (Room temperature)
All-Purpose Flour
2 1/4 cups (Sifted)
Baking Powder
1 1/4 teaspoons (N/A)
Baking Soda
1 1/4 teaspoons (N/A)
Salt
1 1/4 teaspoons (N/A)
Buttermilk
2/3 cup (N/A)
Bananas
1 1/4 cups (Mashed)
Chopped Black Walnuts
2/3 cup (N/A)
Butter
3/4 cup (Melted)
Brown Sugar
1 1/2 cups (Packed)
Milk
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons (N/A)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (N/A)
Vanilla Extract
1 1/2 teaspoons (N/A)
Powdered Sugar
3 cups (Sifted)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
2
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the vegetable shortening and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, ensuring to beat well after each addition.
3
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the creamed mixture, alternating with buttermilk, starting and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined.
5
Gently fold in the mashed bananas and chopped black walnuts until evenly distributed.
6
Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8
Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
9
For the penuche frosting, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and bring the mixture to a boil.
10
Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 2 minutes while stirring continuously. Remove from heat and add the milk, bringing it back to a boil while stirring.
11
Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl and stir in the salt and vanilla extract. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until the frosting reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency.
12
Once the cakes are completely cooled, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous amount of frosting between the layers, on top, and around the sides of the cake.
Nutrition Information
9g
Fat
41g
Carbs
2.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Moist Amish Banana Nut Cake?
It is a traditional Amish dessert featuring overripe bananas and black walnuts topped with a rich brown sugar penuche frosting.
What kind of nuts are used in this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for 2/3 cup of chopped black walnuts for a crunchy texture and unique flavor.
How long does it take to bake the cake?
The cake layers should be baked in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 35 to 40 minutes.
What is penuche frosting?
Penuche frosting is a velvety topping made by boiling butter and brown sugar together, then mixing in milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
Can I store this cake at room temperature?
Yes, this cake can be stored at room temperature, making it a convenient option for preparing in advance.
What size cake pans are needed for this recipe?
You will need two 9-inch round cake pans that should be greased before pouring in the batter.
How many eggs are required for the batter?
This recipe requires 3 whole eggs, ideally at room temperature, added one at a time to the creamed mixture.
What makes this banana nut cake so moist?
The combination of 1 1/4 cups of mashed overripe bananas and 2/3 cup of buttermilk ensures a very moist texture.
How do I know when the cake is done baking?
The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center of the layers comes out clean.
What is the preparation for the bananas in this recipe?
The bananas should be thoroughly mashed before being gently folded into the cake batter.
How much sugar is used in the cake batter?
The cake batter uses 1 2/3 cups of granulated sugar creamed with vegetable shortening.
What type of flour is used for this Amish cake?
The recipe calls for 2 1/4 cups of sifted all-purpose flour.
Why is buttermilk used in this recipe?
Buttermilk reacts with the baking soda to help the cake rise and provides a tender, moist crumb.
How long should the cake cool in the pans?
Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks.
How do you make the penuche frosting?
Melt butter and brown sugar, boil for 2 minutes, add milk and boil again, then beat in vanilla and powdered sugar until smooth.
What are the calories per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 267 calories.
Can I make this cake for a birthday?
Yes, this cake is described as a family favorite specifically for birthday celebrations.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are approximately 9 grams of fat per serving in this recipe.
How many grams of carbohydrates are in a slice?
Each slice contains approximately 41 grams of carbohydrates.
How do I cream the shortening and sugar?
Beat the vegetable shortening and granulated sugar together in a large bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy.
In what order should I add the dry ingredients?
Gradually add the dry mixture to the creamed shortening, alternating with the buttermilk, starting and ending with the flour.
How many layers does this cake have?
This recipe makes a standard two-layer round cake.
What should the consistency of the frosting be?
The frosting should be beaten until it reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency before applying to the cake.
Is the powdered sugar for the frosting sifted?
Yes, the recipe recommends using 3 cups of sifted powdered sugar for the frosting.
How much butter is used in the penuche frosting?
The frosting requires 3/4 cup of melted butter as its base.
Does this recipe use baking powder or baking soda?
It uses both; 1 1/4 teaspoons of baking powder and 1 1/4 teaspoons of baking soda.
What type of shortening is used in the batter?
The recipe uses 2/3 cup of softened vegetable shortening.
How much vanilla extract is in the frosting?
The penuche frosting includes 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract for flavor.
What is the protein content per serving?
This cake provides approximately 2.5 grams of protein per serving.