Sweet Bliss: Delight in Pennsylvania's Classic Banana Walnut Cake Recipe

Photo bymiss wulan

Banana Walnut Cake: A Taste of Pennsylvania Comfort

When it comes to homemade desserts, Pennsylvania is known for its love of comforting, timeless classics that warm both the heart and soul. One dessert that perfectly embodies this is the Banana Walnut Cake—a rich, moist cake that combines the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with the crunchy texture of chopped walnuts. It's the kind of dessert that can turn any ordinary evening into something special, and with Pennsylvania’s history of family-focused, homestyle cooking, this recipe fits right in.

Banana Walnut Cake is more than just a sweet treat; it’s a celebration of simple, natural ingredients that come together to create something truly delightful. Whether you're serving it at a family gathering, enjoying a slice with coffee, or offering it as a dessert for guests, this cake is sure to impress. Its tender crumb and creamy frosting make every bite a perfect blend of flavor and texture.

The best part? You don’t need to be a professional baker to create this Pennsylvania-style Banana Walnut Cake. Just follow the recipe below, and soon your kitchen will be filled with the comforting aroma of baked bananas and warm cinnamon, a true hallmark of homestyle baking.

Recipe: Pennsylvania-Style Banana Walnut Cake

Ingredients:

For the cake:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 ¾ cups granulated white sugar
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3 eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 ¼ cups Greek yogurt
• 2 cups mashed bananas (about 4 ripe bananas)
• ¾ cup chopped walnuts

For the cream cheese frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 10-inch springform pan with baking spray. Set it aside for later.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, making sure to mix well after each addition.
5. Add the vanilla extract, Greek yogurt, and mashed bananas to the mixture, then beat until fully combined.
6. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in batches, mixing on low speed until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
7. Gently fold in the chopped walnuts with a spatula until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
8. Pour the cake batter into the prepared springform pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
9. Bake for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
10. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 20 minutes. Then, carefully remove the sides of the springform pan and transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. To make the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter together in a medium bowl using a hand mixer for about 2-3 minutes, until smooth and creamy.
12. Add the vanilla extract and gradually mix in the confectioners’ sugar in batches until the frosting is light and fluffy.
13. Once the cake has completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the top of the cake.
14. Sprinkle the remaining chopped walnuts over the frosting as a garnish, then slice and serve.

The Perfect Finishing Touch

What makes this Banana Walnut Cake truly special is its adaptability. You can dress it up with additional spices like nutmeg or swap out the walnuts for pecans to give it a slight twist. The cream cheese frosting provides the perfect balance of sweetness, complementing the dense banana flavor without overwhelming it.

This Banana Walnut Cake is a tribute to Pennsylvania’s rich culinary traditions—simple, heartwarming, and made with love. Every slice captures the essence of homemade goodness, making it the perfect choice for everything from family dinners to special celebrations.

Here are the sources for the Banana Walnut Cake recipe:

1. ​(Cookin' with Mima)
2. ​(Beyond the bayou blog)
3. ​(Sweetly Cakes)
4. ​(KITCHEN @ HOSKINS)
5. ​(Sally's Baking Addiction)