To Die For Banana Cake with Vanilla Bean Frosting

from ButterYum

makes one 8x8-inch pan (double recipe for a 9x13-inch pan)

Ingredients

Cake:

    • 2/3 cup sugar

    • 1/2 cup sour cream

    • 1 egg

    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

    • 3/4 cup mashed super ripe banana (about 2)

    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

    • 1 cup flour

    • 1/4 teaspoon salt

    • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Frosting:

    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

    • 1 1/4 cups confectioner's sugar, sifted

    • 1/4 cup heavy cream

    • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste* (see below)

Directions

To make cake (is easily mixed by hand):

    1. Preheat the oven to 375F (see note below).

    2. Cream together sugar, sour cream, egg, and 2 tablespoons softened butter.

    3. Add mashed bananas and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

    4. Add flour, salt, and baking soda; mix well.

    5. Pour into greased 8x8-inch pan.

    6. Bake at 375F for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

    7. Cool completely before frosting.

To make frosting:

    1. Cream butter and confectioner's sugar together until smooth.

    2. Slowly add the heavy cream and vanilla bean paste; stir until smooth.

    3. Spread on cooled cake.

Notes

  • Vanilla bean paste is a product that can be purchased at gourmet groceries or you can order it online (linked below). Here's the general rule for substituting vanilla: 1 vanilla bean = 1 tablespoon vanilla powder = 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste = 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract.

    • Bake at 350F if using a glass pan.

IMPORTANT TIP