If you're looking for a comforting bake that brings together the warm, cozy flavors of banana and cinnamon, look no further. This Banana Walnut Cinnamon Cake is a delightful treat perfect for any time of year. It’s moist, nutty, and has just the right amount of sweetness.
All-purpose flour provides structure to the cake, ensuring it holds together while remaining tender. Baking soda is our leavening agent, giving the cake its rise. A pinch of salt enhances the flavors, so don’t skip it. Unsalted butter adds richness and helps create that creamy texture when creamed with the sugar. Speaking of which, granulated sugar sweetens the cake without overpowering the banana’s natural flavor. Our single egg binds everything together, while vanilla extract adds a subtle depth of flavor. The star of the show, ripe bananas, bring moisture and natural sweetness. Chopped walnuts introduce a satisfying crunch, and ground cinnamon complements the banana perfectly with its warm, spicy notes.
This cake pairs beautifully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For breakfast, try it with a smear of cream cheese or a drizzle of honey. It’s also delightful alongside a cup of hot tea or a glass of cold milk.
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your cake bakes evenly. While it heats up, grease a 9x9 inch baking dish. Use butter or cooking spray — whatever you have on hand.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This little step helps distribute the baking soda evenly, so you don’t end up with any unpleasant surprises later.
Next, grab a larger bowl and cream together the unsalted butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer for this — or even some old-fashioned elbow grease and a wooden spoon if you’re feeling energetic.
Once your butter and sugar are well combined, beat in the egg and vanilla extract until everything is nice and smooth. This is where things start to get delicious!
Stir in those beautifully mashed bananas until they're fully incorporated. At this point, your batter should smell amazing, with that blend of banana and vanilla.
Gradually add your dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Overmixing can make the cake tough, so a gentle touch is key here.
Fold in the chopped walnuts and cinnamon, ensuring they're evenly distributed throughout the batter. The walnuts provide a lovely texture contrast, and the cinnamon gives the cake a cozy warmth.
Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Pop it in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell heavenly!
Once baked, allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the cake from becoming soggy at the bottom.
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