This brown butter banana cake proves that two layers are always better than one! This "naked" cake topped with a luscious mascarpone cheese frosting is perfect for Easter or any special occasion!
8ouncesmascarpone cheese (or cream cheese)room temperature
3tablespoonsunsalted butterroom temperature
2tablespoonsbuttermilk
1teaspoonvanilla extract
3cupssifted powdered sugar
Instructions
Grease two 8-inch round cake pans. Line with parchment and grease the parchment. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350°F.
Brown the butter over medium heat until melted. Continue to cook until foaming subsides and the milk solids in the butter have turned brown. The butter will have a toasted caramel fragrance. Set aside to cool slightly.
16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter
Mix the wet ingredients: Combine the cooled butter with the white granulated sugar and light brown sugar. Mix until creamed and smooth, 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, and mix until incorporated. Mix in vanilla extract and mashed bananas.
1 cups granulated sugar, ½ cups light brown sugar, 3 large eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 ⅓ cups mashed bananas
Add the dry ingredients: Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Alternately add the dry ingredients with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry, mixing to combine. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ⅔ cup buttermilk
Bake in the preheated 350°F oven until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean, 23-30 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool in pans for 5 minutes. Then invert onto cooling racks.
While the cakes are cooling, prepare the frosting: Whip mascarpone cheese and butter until smooth. Add the buttermilk, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar, and whip until fully combined and completely smooth.
Assemble: When cake rounds are fully cooled, place one round on a serving plate. Top with half of the frosting. Smooth the frosting, leaving about a ½-inch perimeter around the edge. Place the second round on top and finish with the rest of the frosting piled on top.