Copycat Ina Garten Banana Cake

This is another banana cake I made last weekend, but this time I followed Ina Garten’s style. The experience of making this Ina Garten Banana Cake was fun and easy, and I even added my own touch by mixing strawberries into the cream on top of the cake.

I love making banana cakes in different styles each time. I’ve already made a copycat recipe for the famous Sara Lee Banana Cake, which turned out great. But this time, I was inspired by Ina Garten’s version, as I love her recipes, cooking style, and creativity.

Ina Garten is one of my chef idols. I’ve already made and shared many copycat recipes of hers, like Corn Casserole and Turkey Burgers.

This is my first time making a dessert inspired by her, and the cake turned out delicious and enjoyable. I even added my own twist to make it tastier for me. You can do the same by adding any nuts or fruits you like to the cream or the cake itself.

What is Ina Garten Banana Cake?

Ina Garten Banana Cake is a regular banana cake made by Ina Garten, The cake contains ripe bananas, flour, sugar, eggs, and oil, and is topped with a creamy white frosting made from cream cheese, powdered sugar, and whipped cream, But my recipe also have strawberries mixed in which is optional. The cake is so tasty, with the natural sweetness of bananas that balanced so well with creamy frosting and crunchy walnuts on top. It’s easy to make and a great recipe to try at home if you desire a banana cake with a different style from what you usually make.

Ingredients

Cake:

• 3 ripe bananas (mashed)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup sour cream

White Cream Frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 5-6 strawberries (finely chopped)
• Walnuts (for decoration)

How to Make Ina Garten Banana Cake?

Step 1:

First, Turn the oven on to 350°F (175°C). Grease the cake pan with butter and sprinkle some flour.

Step 2:

Mash the bananas in a big bowl until smooth. Add sugar, eggs, and vanilla, then mix.

Step 3:

In another bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add it to the banana mix with the oil.

Step 4:

Stir in the sour cream to make the cake more soft.

Step 5:

Pour the batter into the pan smooth it and Bake it for 40-45 minutes. and Let the cake cool completely before taking it out.

White Cream Frosting:

Step 1:

While the cake cools, mix the soft cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Add vanilla and keep mixing.

Step 2:

Whip the cream in another bowl and Mix it into the cream cheese.

Step 3:

Now this is an optional step, I added some tiny pieces of strawberries into my frosting, you can do that if you want more fruity flavor, but this is not necessary, as the banana cake Ina Garten’s does not contain strawberries. but I keep the frosting mostly white.

Step 4:

Frost the cooled cake and decorate it with crushed walnuts on top. Enjoy.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer
• Spatula
• Whisk
• Cake pan (round)
• Wire cooling rack
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Toothpick (for testing doneness)

Helpful Tips!

• Don’t forget to Grease the cake pan well with butter and flour so that the cake doesn’t stick to the pan.
• To make the frosting fluffy, keep whipping the heavy cream until it gets thick and stands up without falling when you stop mixing.
• If the frosting seems too soft to spread on the cake, put it in the fridge for about 10 minutes to make it firmer.
• As Ina Garten only adds a few walnuts on top, You can add as much as you want and even decorate it with more fruits if you want.

What to Serve with Ina Garten Banana Cake?

Like any banana cake I make, I always love to pair it with some fresh fruit salad, a scoop of strawberry sorbet, or even sometimes a creamy Custard, it may seem weird, But I love it this way, as For drinks, consider pairing it with a refreshing glass of milk for the kids or tried it with a favorite Martini, the taste will be absolutely awesome, These pairings I’m sure they will elevate your experience enjoying this banana cake and even make it more enjoyable.

FAQ

Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?

Yes, you can.

What if I don’t have sour cream?

You can substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt if you want.

How can I make the frosting thicker?

You can add more powdered sugar to thicken it.

Can I use a different type of nut for decoration?

You can substitute walnuts with pecans, almonds, or even some fruits.

Is this cake gluten-free?

No, this recipe uses all-purpose flour, but you can try substituting it with a gluten-free flour blend.

Can I use regular cream instead of heavy whipping cream?

Heavy whipping cream is best for me because it creates a fluffy, stable frosting.

Can I skip the strawberries in the frosting?

Yes, The strawberries as I said before are an optional step, you can omit it if you prefer a pure white frosting.

Conclusion

I love to make this copycat Ina Garten Banana Cake from time to time, is an easy-to-make dessert that’s perfect for all occasions. Don’t forget to share if you like it of course with your friends and subscribe to my blog for more delicious Ina Garten’s dessert recipes.