If you’re a banana lover, this Banana Wafer Cake is about to be your new favorite dessert! Layers of soft, moist banana cake combined with the sweet crunch of vanilla wafers create a treat that’s both nostalgic and irresistible. It’s the perfect mix of creamy, crunchy, and banana-filled goodness. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or just because, trust me, this one’s a keeper!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The sweetness of bananas, the crunch of wafers, and a creamy filling make every bite unforgettable.
Easy to Make: No complicated steps—just simple ingredients coming together beautifully.
Great for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a family gathering, a holiday, or a casual weekend treat, this cake is always a hit.
Customizable: Add nuts, chocolate chips, or even a drizzle of caramel to make it your own.
Crowd-Pleasing: Kids and adults alike will love this comforting, homemade dessert.
Ingredients in Banana Wafer Cake
Ripe Bananas: The key to natural sweetness and a soft, moist cake. The riper, the better!
Vanilla Wafers: Crushed wafers add a deliciously sweet crunch to each layer.
Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the cake.
Sugar: Just the right amount to enhance the natural sweetness of bananas.
Eggs: Helps create structure and a light, fluffy texture.
All-Purpose Flour: The base that holds everything together.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Essential for a perfectly risen, tender cake.
Milk: Keeps the cake moist and helps blend the flavors.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall sweetness with a warm, aromatic touch.
(Note: The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 350°F and grease a cake pan to prevent sticking.
Mash the Bananas: In a bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth. Set aside.
Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract.
Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda.
Combine Everything: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk, until smooth. Fold in the mashed bananas and crushed vanilla wafers.
Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool before slicing. Serve with whipped cream, banana slices, or a drizzle of caramel for extra indulgence.
How to Serve Banana Wafer Cake
With Whipped Cream: A light, airy topping complements the cake’s rich flavors.
Topped with Sliced Bananas: Enhances the banana goodness with extra freshness.
Drizzled with Caramel or Chocolate: A sweet finishing touch for an extra indulgent treat.
With Ice Cream: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla or caramel ice cream.
As a Layered Dessert: Turn it into a trifle with pudding and extra wafers for a fun twist.
Additional Tips
Use Ripe Bananas: The darker the banana, the better the flavor and sweetness.
Let It Cool Completely: This helps the cake set properly and makes slicing easier.
Store Properly: Keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Freeze for Later: Wrap slices tightly and freeze for a quick treat anytime.
Make It Fancy: Dust with powdered sugar or top with toasted nuts for extra crunch.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use banana pudding instead of fresh bananas?
A1: Fresh bananas give the best flavor, but you can add banana pudding for extra creaminess.
Q2: Can I make this cake ahead of time?
A2: Yes! Bake it a day ahead and store it in an airtight container.
Q3: How do I store leftovers?
A3: Keep the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for a week.
Q4: Can I freeze Banana Wafer Cake?
A4: Yes! Wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.
Q5: Can I add nuts or chocolate chips?
A5: Absolutely! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips make great additions.
Q6: What’s the best way to reheat this cake?
A6: Microwave individual slices for about 10 seconds or warm them in the oven at 300°F for a few minutes.
Q7: Can I use gluten-free flour?
A7: Yes, just use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for similar results.
Q8: Can I substitute the wafers with graham crackers?
A8: Yes! Graham crackers will work, but they’ll give a slightly different texture and taste.
Q9: Can I make cupcakes instead of a cake?
A9: Yes! Just adjust the baking time to about 18–20 minutes for cupcakes.
Q10: How do I make it more moist?
A10: Adding an extra mashed banana or a bit of sour cream will boost the moisture.
Final Thoughts
Banana Wafer Cake is the perfect blend of soft, sweet, and crunchy, making it a must-try for banana lovers. Whether you enjoy it as a dessert, snack, or even breakfast (I won’t judge!), it’s sure to be a favorite. Give it a try and let me know how you like it!
Print
Banana Wafer Cake
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This easy Banana Wafer Cake is a delicious twist on banana bread! Made with crushed Nilla wafers instead of flour, this moist and nutty cake is perfect for dessert or a sweet breakfast treat.
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup butter, room temperature
- 5 eggs
- 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 (11 oz) box Nilla wafers, finely crushed
- 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
Instructions
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Preheat & Prepare:
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 10-inch bundt pan thoroughly.
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Mix Wet Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar, and eggs until well combined.
- Stir in the mashed bananas.
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Combine Dry Ingredients:
- Fold in the crushed Nilla wafers and pecans until evenly mixed.
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Bake:
- Transfer the batter to the prepared bundt pan.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
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Cool & Serve:
- Let the cake cool for 10-15 minutes, then run a knife around the edges and invert onto a serving plate.
- Allow to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- For extra sweetness, drizzle with caramel or dust with powdered sugar.
- Swap pecans for walnuts or omit nuts for a nut-free version.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 95mg