Banana cake recipe: a sweet taste of home
There’s nothing quite like the smell of a banana cake baking in the kitchen. Moist, fluffy, and sweetened with the comforting flavour of ripe bananas and Mara Sugar, this classic treat is a Kenyan family favourite. Here’s how you can make a delicious banana cake using everyday ingredients – including our Kenyan-grown sugar!
Ingredients
Serves 6–8 people
- 3 very ripe bananas (mashed)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup white Mara Sugar (or brown sugar for a richer taste)
- ½ cup cooking oil or melted margarine
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla essence
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven
Set your oven to 180°C (350°F) and lightly grease a loaf or round cake tin. You can also line it with baking paper so the banana cake is easy to slide out once it is cooked.
- Mix the dry ingredients
In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Prepare the wet mix
In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and add the Mara Sugar. Mix until light. Then add oil (or melted margarine), the mashed bananas, and one teaspoon of vanilla essence. Stir well.
- Combine the mixtures
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to fold everything together gently, ensuring you don’t overmix.
- Bake
Pour the batter into your prepared cake tin. You can also sprinkle a bit of sugar on top before baking for a sweet crust. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool and enjoy!
Let the cake cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a cooling rack. Once it’s ready to slice, you could serve it with chai or a cold glass of fresh juice.
Shosho’s tip:
If you have extra ripe bananas at home, mash and freeze them. You can then thaw them when you’re ready to bake another banana cake.
Serving ideas:
- Enjoy a warm slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
- Try toasted banana cake for breakfast
- Top your banana cake with a light sugar glaze or cream cheese frosting and decoration for a special occasion!
Proudly made sweeter with Kenyan sugar
This recipe uses Mara Sugar, which is locally-grown here in Kenya. Our team supports sugarcane farmers in the Transmara region, where the sugar is grown in the lush highlands. We never import, as we want to celebrate our own crops and farmers!
