Now, in another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. I find that this step is crucial to ensure even distribution of the leavening agents. Gradually, I add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the sour cream. I usually go dry, wet, dry, finishing with the flour mixture, and mix just until combined. This helps prevent overmixing and keeps the cake tender. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top.
Bake it in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The wonderful aroma of bananas and cinnamon will fill your kitchen, making it hard to wait! Once baked, let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Meanwhile, while my cake cools, I whip up the cream cheese frosting. Using my hand mixer, I beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until creamy. Gradually, I add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until silky smooth. If the frosting is too thick, a splash of milk usually does the trick. Once the cake is completely cool, I slather on that dreamy frosting, making sure to cover every edge—it’s just so irresistible!
Pro Tips for Best Results
I learned the hard way that the ripeness of your bananas makes a big difference. The riper, the better! I aim for bananas that are speckled brown; that’s when they have the best flavor and sweetness. Also, I once forgot to measure my ingredients correctly and had a disaster on my hands! Using the right measurements is really key to achieving the perfect texture.
Another tip is to let your cake cool completely before frosting it. The first time I tried to frost a warm cake, the frosting melted and slid off! It was delicious but certainly not as pretty. Patience pays off here; let that beauty cool down before dressing it up in cream cheese frosting. Finally, I always make sure to sift the powdered sugar for the frosting, which gives it a smooth texture without lumps.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One mistake I made early on was not fully mashing the bananas. If there are chunks left, it can impact the cake’s texture, leading it to bake unevenly. I now make sure to mash them until they are completely smooth to ensure a uniform batter. Another common pitfall is overmixing. It can lead to a denser cake, and nobody wants that! Just mix until the ingredients are combined for that light, fluffy crumb. (See the next page below to continue…)