Now that you’ve gathered your ingredients and tools, let’s embark on a delightful journey to create a scrumptious banana walnut cake. Each step will transform your kitchen into a warm, inviting space filled with the rich aromas of baked goodness. So, roll up your sleeves, and let’s make magic happen!
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial as it ensures even baking, making that perfectly moist banana walnut cake a reality. While you wait for the oven to reach its cozy temperature, you can prepare your cake batter.
Step 2: Prepare Your Baking Pan
Grab a round cake pan, preferably 9 inches in diameter, and lightly grease it with butter or non-stick spray. For extra insurance against sticking, coat it with a dusting of flour. This little trick ensures that your cake slides out effortlessly, maintaining its beautiful shape.
Step 3: Mash the Bananas
Place your ripe bananas into a mixing bowl and mash them using a fork or potato masher. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your banana walnut cake will be. You’re looking for a smooth consistency, so don’t hesitate to really mash them up!
Step 4: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, combine your mashed bananas with sugar, eggs, and melted butter. Whisk these ingredients together until they are well blended. The goal here is to create a silky-smooth mixture that embraces the bananas’ sweetness.
Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step is crucial because it ensures that the leavening agents are evenly distributed, giving your banana walnut cake that perfect rise.
Step 6: Bring Wet and Dry Together
Now it’s time to introduce the wet ingredients to the dry ones! Gently fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients using a spatula. Be careful not to over mix – a few lumps are perfectly okay. This gentle mixing ensures a light and fluffy banana walnut cake that’s a joy to eat.
Step 7: Add Walnuts
Chop your walnuts into small pieces and fold them gently into the batter. The crunch of walnuts pairs beautifully with the soft texture of the cake, adding a delightful contrast that elevates the flavors.
Step 8: Pour Batter into Pan
Pour your cake batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. This is where the magic begins! As it bakes, the aromas will fill your home, making it nearly impossible to wait patiently.
Step 9: Bake to Perfection
Slide the pan into your preheated oven and let it bake for about 45-50 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. During this time, sit back and enjoy the tantalizing scents wafting through your space.
Step 10: Cool and Serve
Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, slice and serve your banana walnut cake as is, or with a dollop of cream for an extra indulgence!
