Description
An elegant cake that combines ripe banana, bright crushed pineapple, and a hint of cinnamon, finished with silky cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (220 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup (240 ml) vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 (8 oz / 227 g) can crushed pineapple, very well drained
- 2 cups mashed ripe banana (about 3 medium bananas)
- 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 cups (480 g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1–2 tbsp heavy cream, to loosen if needed
- Pinch of fine sea salt
- 1/2 cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped (for topping)
- Optional: a fine dusting of ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch sheet pan with parchment, leaving an overhang, and lightly grease the parchment.
- In a large bowl, whisk the dry ingredients — flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until evenly blended.
- In a separate bowl, combine eggs, oil, and vanilla. Whisk until glossy. Stir in mashed bananas and well-drained crushed pineapple.
- Fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients using a flexible spatula until just combined. Fold in the toasted pecans.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan, smoothing the surface. Bake for 30–38 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool the cake completely in the pan on a wire rack for about 1½ hours.
- Meanwhile, make the frosting: beat cream cheese and butter until silky. Add vanilla and salt. Gradually beat in sifted confectioners’ sugar until creamy, adding heavy cream as needed.
- Once the cake is cooled, spread the frosting evenly. Scatter the toasted pecan topping and dust with cinnamon if desired.
- Refrigerate for 20 minutes before slicing for neat portions.
Notes
For best results, use room-temperature dairy for frosting and toast the nuts until fragrant. Chill the frosting bowl if it becomes too soft.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg