If you’ve got some overripe bananas sitting on your counter, it’s time to put them to delicious use with this Brown Butter Sticky Toffee Banana Cake! This cake is a luscious combination of rich flavors—featuring the nutty, caramel-like essence of browned butter, the natural sweetness of ripe bananas, and a decadent toffee sauce that soaks into every bite. The cake itself is soft, moist, and spiced just right with a hint of cinnamon, while the sticky toffee sauce elevates it into a truly irresistible dessert. Whether served with a drizzle of extra toffee or a scoop of ice cream, this cake is a must-bake for banana lovers.
Why You'll Love This Recipe:
You’ll love this recipe because it takes the humble banana bread and transforms it into something extraordinary. The browned butter adds a rich, nutty depth that pairs perfectly with the natural sweetness of spotty bananas, while the toffee sauce makes every bite indulgent and luxurious. This cake strikes a perfect balance between a dense, moist crumb and the gooey, sticky topping, making it a dessert worth savoring slowly. Plus, it’s a great way to use up those overripe bananas, giving you an excuse to whip up a delicious homemade treat. The added toffee sauce is the perfect finishing touch that takes this cake to the next level.
Perfect Occasion:
This cake is perfect for any time you want to indulge in something sweet and comforting. It’s an excellent choice for dessert after a cozy dinner, or even as a special treat for a weekend brunch. Because it’s so rich and flavorful, it also works well for special occasions like birthdays or holiday gatherings, where you want to impress with a unique dessert. Serve it warm with an extra drizzle of toffee sauce and maybe a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream for an extra indulgent experience. It’s the ultimate cozy, crowd-pleasing cake for fall and winter seasons.
Decoration Tips:
To enhance the look of your Brown Butter Sticky Toffee Banana Cake, consider drizzling extra toffee sauce over the top right before serving. This will add a glossy, sticky sheen that makes the cake even more tempting. For a pop of texture and color, you can sprinkle some chopped toasted pecans or walnuts on top, adding a bit of crunch to contrast the softness of the cake. A dusting of powdered sugar around the edges can give it a rustic, finished look. If you’re serving it at a gathering, consider offering extra toffee sauce in a small pitcher on the side for guests to pour over their slices.
Ingredients for the Cake:
1¾ cups all-purpose flour
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup unsalted butter, browned
½ cup coconut sugar
2 eggs
3 spotty bananas (about 1 cup mashed)
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
Ingredients for the Toffee Sauce:
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ tablespoon molasses
⅓ cup brown sugar
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Start by browning the butter: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir continuously as the butter begins to foam, then turn golden brown, releasing a nutty aroma. Be careful not to burn it. Once browned, remove from heat and allow it to cool slightly.
In a large bowl, combine the cooled browned butter and coconut sugar. Use a hand mixer to blend until well incorporated. Add the mashed bananas, eggs, and vanilla bean paste, and beat until the mixture is creamy and smooth.
Stir in the Greek yogurt and lemon juice, whisking until everything is fully combined.
Sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Slowly fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, using a spatula to ensure everything is well incorporated without overmixing.
Pour the batter into a greased baking dish and smooth out the top. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
While the cake is baking, prepare the toffee sauce: In a small saucepan, combine the heavy cream, vanilla extract, molasses, and brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently. Continue simmering until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, about 5-7 minutes.
Once the cake is done, let it cool for a few minutes, then use a skewer to poke small holes all over the top of the cake. Pour half of the warm toffee sauce over the cake, allowing it to soak into the holes.
Reserve the remaining toffee sauce for serving alongside the cake, offering an extra drizzle for each slice.
Enjoy!