Ingredients
– 1 ½ cups milk for activating baking soda and making cake rise
– 2 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice for providing acidity and brightening flavors
– 1 ⅓ cups mashed bananas for natural sweetness and moisture
– ⅔ cup unsalted butter for rich buttery taste and fluffy texture
– ½ cup brown sugar for adding depth and caramel note
– 1 cup granulated sugar for sweetening batter and creating golden crust
– 3 large eggs for binding and adding structure
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for infusing cozy aroma
– 3 cups flour for forming the base structure
– 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda for leavening
– ¼ teaspoon salt for balancing sweetness
– 8 ounces cream cheese for creating smooth frosting base
– ⅓ cup butter for making frosting spreadable
– 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice or vanilla extract for adding extra flavor to frosting
– 1 ½ teaspoons lemon zest for brightening frosting with citrus note
– 3 ½ cups powdered sugar for sweetening and thickening frosting
Instructions
1-First Step: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease and flour a 9 x 13-inch pan to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
2-Second Step: Combine 1 ½ tablespoons of fresh lemon juice with 1 ½ cups of milk to make a simple buttermilk substitute; set this aside to curdle slightly for better texture.
3-Third Step: Mash 1 ⅓ cups of bananas (about 4 medium ones) and mix them with the remaining 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice; this keeps them from browning and adds a bright flavor.
4-Fourth Step: In a large bowl, beat ⅔ cup of softened unsalted butter, ½ cup brown sugar, and 1 cup granulated sugar until they’re well combined and smooth.
5-Fifth Step: Add 3 large eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, followed by 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract; beat on high speed for about 5 minutes until it turns light and fluffy, almost like frosting.
6-Sixth Step: In another bowl, whisk together 3 cups of flour, 1 ½ teaspoons of baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon of salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents.
7-Seventh Step: Alternate adding the flour mixture and the milk-lemon juice mixture to the egg batter, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing; then gently fold in the mashed bananas for that moist center.
8-Eighth Step: Pour the batter into your prepared pan and place it in the oven, immediately reducing the heat to 300°F; bake for 60 70 minutes, checking at 55 minutes with a toothpick to see if it comes out clean don’t overbake to keep it tender.
9-Ninth Step: Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and place it in the freezer for 45 minutes; this clever trick locks in moisture and makes it even more delicious.
10-Tenth Step: While the cake cools completely, prepare the frosting by beating 8 ounces of cream cheese and ⅓ cup of softened butter until fluffy; add 1 ½ teaspoons of lemon zest and 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice or vanilla extract.
11-Eleventh Step: Gradually mix in 3 3 ½ cups of powdered sugar until the frosting is smooth and easy to spread; finally, frost the cooled cake and slice it up for serving enjoy with a cup of tea for the ultimate treat.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
🥚 Use room temperature eggs and butter for better incorporation and smoother texture.
🍋 Do not substitute the lemon juice-milk mixture with plain milk or cream for the right flavor balance.
⏰ Bake until just done and avoid overbaking to maintain the cake’s moisture and tenderness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chilling Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 32
- Sodium: 220
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Unsaturated Fat: 6
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 48
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 65