The cake itself is a plain spiced carrot cake: two and a half cups of finely grated carrot in an oil batter with cinnamon and nutmeg, baked as two 8-inch layers.
The banana stays out of the batter. Two firm bananas are sliced, cooked for a minute or two a side in butter and brown sugar until glossy, cooled briefly and arranged over the frosted cake.
How to Make It
Pans lined
Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans.
Spiced dry mix
Whisk the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
Batter
Whisk the eggs, brown sugar, oil and vanilla, then fold in the carrots and the dry ingredients.
Baked
Divide between the pans and bake 30 to 35 minutes until a tester comes out clean. Cool completely.
Frosted
Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth, then beat in the powdered sugar. Fill and frost the cake.
Bananas caramelized
Melt 2 tbsp butter with 1/4 cup brown sugar in a skillet. Add the banana slices and cook 1 to 2 minutes per side until glossy and caramelized.
Topped
Cool the bananas briefly, arrange on top of the cake and refrigerate until serving.
Ingredient Notes
- Finely grated carrots
- Two and a half cups, grated on the fine side of the grater.
- Bananas
- Two, ripe but still firm, sliced into rounds for the topping only.
- Cream cheese frosting
- Eight ounces of cream cheese, half a cup of butter and three cups of powdered sugar.
Cake and Topping on Separate Tracks
The bananas are cooked only once the cake is frosted.
Cake
- 30 to 35 minutes
Two carrot layers bake at 350°F.
- Once cool
Filled and frosted with cream cheese frosting.
Skillet
- Butter and sugar melted
Two tablespoons butter with brown sugar.
- 1 to 2 minutes per side
Banana slices until glossy.
On top of the cake
Briefly cooled bananas arranged over the frosting, then chilled until serving.
Why This Recipe Works
- Oil rather than butter keeps a carrot cake moist after chilling.
- Finely grated carrot melts into the crumb while still showing as flecks.
- Ripe but firm bananas hold their shape in the hot pan.
- Cream cheese frosting balances the sweet caramel on top.
Success Tips
- Squeeze very wet carrots gently in a towel before folding them in.
- Lay the banana slices in the pan in one layer and turn each with a fork.
- Top the cake close to serving so the bananas stay glossy.
Serving Ideas
Cut wedges straight from the fridge so the frosting holds, with the caramelized bananas on every slice.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerate
Keep the cake in the refrigerator; the frosting is cream-cheese based.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is banana in the cake batter?
No. The bananas are a caramelized topping only.
How many layers?
Two 8-inch layers, filled and frosted with cream cheese frosting.
