BANANA CAKE WITH SALTED BROWN BUTTER ICING

This simple and super easy Banana Cake recipe is moist, fluffy, tender and is ridiculously banana-ey (new word for you all) in the best way possible.   The scrumptious brown butter icing is like a warm hug and is the perfect compliment to this cake with its deep nutty flavour.  This cake is even better the next day!

INGREDIENTS

The Banana Cake:

• 1 cup butter, softened

• 2 cups sugar

• 4 large eggs, at room temperature

• 2 1/2 tsp vanilla

• 2 1/2 cups flour

• 2 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 4 medium bananas, mashed (about 2 cups)

The Brown Butter Icing:

• 4 cups icing sugar

• 3/4 cup butter, cut into 1” cubes

• 1/4 cup table cream

• 2 tsp vanilla

• 1/8 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS:

The Cake:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

2. Prepare one 13” x 9” or two 8” round baking tins by greasing well with cooking spray or butter. I like to add a cut piece of parchment in the bottom as well to avoid any sticking when removing from the pans.

3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar for 3-4 minutes until light and creamy.
   

4. Add the vanilla and the eggs one at a time and continue to beat for 2-3 minutes.
   

5. In a separate large bowl, blend the flour, baking soda, and salt.
   

6. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir just until combined. Do not overmix! A few small lumps is good!
   

7. Gently fold in the mashed bananas.
   

8. Pour batter into the prepared baking pan(s).
   

9. Bake in preheated 325 degrees for 20 minutes. Rotate the pan(s) and then bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Your cake will get very brown but that is normal.
   

10. Remove cakes from oven and cool completely on a wire baking rack.
    

Brown Butter Icing:

1. Melt the cubed butter in a small pot over low heat. Stir often and continue to simmer for 10 minutes or so until the butter first foams and then dissolves, and then it will turn a nice golden brown, and brown flecks will appear and you will smell a delicious nuttiness. **Near the 10 minute mark, watch it carefully as it can go from a lovely brown to burnt quickly.

2. Remove the butter from the heat and allow it to cool for 3-4 minutes.

3. Add the icing sugar to a medium sized mixing bowl, and pour the semi-cooled browned butter over it.

4. Add the milk and vanilla, and beat the mixture until smooth. If your icing seems to separate or look funky, just continue to beat it on higher speed and it will smooth out. The icing needs to be a spreadable consistency so add a bit of milk or more icing sugar until you are happy with it.

5. Once the cake is completely cooled, add the frosting. Feel free to sprinkle the top with nuts or even toasted coconut.