Banana Bundt Cake

Worlds collide in this Banana Bundt Cake recipe that just about knocked our Test Kitchen pros' socks off: "It's like the best banana bread in the world collided with a pound cake."

That's how they describe this Banana Bundt Cake, and with that glowing review, one thing's for sure: This cake just became an instant classic.

What You'll Love About Banana Bundt Cake

This Banana Bundt Cake combines the shape and texture of a classic pound cake—rich, dense, and moist—with the flavor of your favorite loaf of banana bread.

As you would with banana bread, use the ripest bananas you can find in this cake—extra-ripe bananas bring additional sweetness and a much more intense banana flavor.

A combination of granulated sugar and brown sugar add depth to the cake, while a duo of softened butter and cream cheese form a sturdy, indulgent foundation. Walnuts bring a light crunch and toasty flavor when mixed right into the cake batter.

As with all cakes, be sure not to overbeat the batter, which will result in a tougher crumb.

The light vanilla glaze sets beautifully and makes this Bundt—which can also pass for breakfast—feel like a true dessert. Count on this recipe as your new go-to when you have a banana cake craving.

Ingredients for Banana Bundt Cake

Everything you'll need for the recipe are classic ingredients for banana bread and cake:

• all-purpose flour
• baking powder
• baking soda
• salt
• butter
• cream cheese
• granulated sugar
• light brown sugar
• eggs
• whole milk
• very ripe bananas
• pecans
• vanilla extract

Finally, for the glaze, you'll want to gather:

• powdered sugar
• whole milk
• vanilla extract

You'll also use more chopped, toasted pecans for the top of the cake once the glaze is applied.

How To Make Banana Bundt Cake

The full recipe for banana Bundt cake is below, but here's a brief recap:

Prepare the Bundt pan: Grease the Bundt pan with cooking spray. This is the most efficient way to get all the nooks and crannies of the pan well greased.

Make batter Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the butter and cream cheese. Then, add sugars and eggs. Alternating between the two, add the dry ingredients and the whole milk to the butter-sugar mixture in the stand mixer bowl. Begin and end with the flour mixture. Mash the bananas and add them to the cake batter along with the pecans and vanilla extract.

Bake: Add the batter to the prepared Bundt pan, and bake about 1 hour. Cool the cake in the pan for 15 to 20 minutes. Use an offset spatula and run around the edges of the pan to loosen the cake. Carefully remove the cake from the pan, and let it cool completely, about 2 hours.

Add the glaze: Once the cake is fully cooled, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a small bowl. Spoon the glaze over the cake, and sprinkle with chopped pecans. Let the glaze harden before slicing and serving.

How To Store Banana Bundt Cake

Keep the cake in an air-tight container at room temperature for 2 days. If you'll have leftovers longer than that, store the cake in the fridge.

Can you freeze leftover cake?

Yes, you can freeze leftover banana Bundt cake. However, we recommend freezing without the glaze and adding it after.

If you only have a few slices left, freeze them individually so you can quickly thaw them and enjoy them after dinner. To get the glaze hard before wrapping, you can flash freeze slices on a tray for 30 minutes, then wrap in plastic wrap and aluminum foil.

A whole cake can be frozen, too. Wrap it in plastic food wrap, then aluminum foil, and store for up to 3 months. When you're ready to eat it, let it thaw at room temperature about 1 hour, then add the glaze.

Variations for Banana Bundt Cake

Once you make this cake, you'll want to make it again and again. Consider these additions for the next times:

• Chocolate chips: Stir 1 cup of chocolate chips into the batter just before pouring into the pan.
• Blueberries: Toss 1 cup of fresh blueberries in flour, then gently fold them into the batter just before adding to pan.
• Cream cheese frosting: Instead of the vanilla glaze, make this cake a complete dessert with cream cheese frosting. Pipe or spread it on, then add the pecans.
  

More Fantastic Bundt Cakes

Look for more fabulous Bundt cake recipes? Try one of these:

• Hummingbird Bundt Cake
  
• Pistachio Bundt Cake
• Peach-Bourbon Upside-Down Bundt Cake
• Lemon Bundt Cake
• Carrot Bundt Cake