Wheat Free Classic Banana Cake

Total time2 hr

Prep time25 min

Cook time35 min

This layered banana cake is everything a good celebration cake should be: moist, deeply spiced with cinnamon, and packed with the flavor of very ripe mashed banana in every bite. Brown sugar and a touch of sour cream keep the crumb soft and rich, while buttermilk adds just enough tang to balance the sweetness. The two golden layers get sandwiched and coated in a cloud of tangy cream cheese frosting, whipped until light and fluffy, then swept into swirls over the top and sides. It's the kind of cake that looks bakery-perfect but comes together with simple mixing bowl technique, no special equipment required. Whether it's for a birthday or just a Sunday baking project, this one is a great fit for a wheat free kitchen and a genuine crowd-pleaser at the table.

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Ingredients

12 servings

For the cake

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
King Arthur Baking Company Gluten-Free Measure For Measure Flour Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Baking Flour Pillsbury Best Gluten Free All Purpose Flour Blend - 24 Oz Bob's Red Mill Baking Flour, 1 to 1, Gluten Free King Arthur Gluten Free Measure for Measure Flour
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Chef's tip
Choose a gluten-free baking blend labeled 1:1 or cup-for-cup and use the same amount. Almond and coconut flour won't work the same way.
1 ½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp fine salt
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 ½ cups mashed very ripe banana (about 3 large bananas)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
¾ cup buttermilk, room temperature
¼ cup sour cream, room temperature

For the frosting

8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 pinch fine salt
1–2 tbsp heavy cream, as needed

Instructions

1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans, line the bottoms with parchment paper, and grease the parchment.
2
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until evenly combined. Set aside.

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