Brown Butter Banana Carrot Cake

x 1

A moist mashup of banana and carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. Makes a large 9x13 cake.

Once the cake is warm but handleable, wrap the top tightly to trap steam and retain moisture.

Cook Time

45 min - 1 hour

9x13 pan
hand or stand mixer
sifter
parchment paper
Vegetarian
Dessert
Breakfast
Snack
Baking
Kid Friendly
Comfort Food

Cake

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter browned and cooled to liquid
  • 1/3 cup neutral oil
  • 1 1/4 cups light brown sugar packed
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs room temperature
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream full fat preferred, room temperature
  • 2 cups mashed overripe bananas about 4 medium to large bananas
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup cake flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 3 cups finely grated carrots grated fresh; do not use pre-shredded bags as they are too dry
  • 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts toasted, optional

Preparation

  1. Brown the butter, let it cool slightly, then stir in the 1/3 cup of oil.
  2. In a large bowl, beat the eggs with both sugars for 3–4 minutes until pale and slightly ribbony.
  3. Whisk the butter and oil mixture with the sugars and eggs.
  4. Stir in the Greek yogurt, mashed bananas, and vanilla.
  5. Combine all dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then fold the dry ingredients into the wet. Mix until just combined; do not over mix.
  6. Gently fold in the grated carrots (and optional toasted nuts).
  7. Prepare a 9x13 pan by lightly oiling and placing parchment on the bottom.
  8. Pour the batter into the pan.
  9. Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes to an hour. Check occasionally with a toothpick; the cake is done when a toothpick has a few moist crumbs attached.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

  • 12 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 cup salted butter softened
  • 1 pound powdered sugar sifted
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preparation

  1. Beat the butter and cream cheese together until light and fluffy, scraping the bowl when necessary.
  2. Add vanilla, then gradually add powdered sugar until smooth and thick.
  3. Spread over the completely cooled cake.