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Banana Layer Cake
BananaDinnerHealthy Eating

Banana Layer Cake

Stewart Lucas
By Stewart Lucas, Chief Culinary Specialist
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Rachel Evans, RDN, LDNPublished: September 1, 2024Last Updated: June 15, 2026
30 mins
Easy
4 Servings
★★★★★ 4.9 (52 reviews)
Quick Summary Answer
⏱️ 4 min read read📅 Updated: June 15, 2026

This chef-curated Banana Layer Cake offers an authentic, wholesome dining experience. Created by Chief Culinary Specialist Stewart Lucas, it balances vibrant flavor with evidence-based nutrition.

Key Takeaways

  • ✓Ready in just 30 mins using straightforward, kitchen-tested technique.
  • ✓Delivers 35g of muscle-fueling protein per serving for lasting satiety.
  • ✓Portion-balanced at 450 calories per serving with wholesome, unrefined ingredients.
  • ✓Masterclass temperature checkpoints ensure maximum tenderness and flavor development.

The Story

This chef-curated Banana Layer Cake offers an authentic, wholesome dining experience. Created by Chief Culinary Specialist Stewart Lucas, it balances vibrant flavor with evidence-based nutrition.

Culinary Heritage & Chef's Notes

In the NutriGuide test kitchen, Chief Culinary Specialist Stewart Lucas refined this classic Banana Layer Cake to celebrate vibrant, wholesome ingredients. By prioritizing aromatic layering and precise thermal control, this recipe achieves remarkable culinary depth while preserving natural micronutrients and wholesome texture.

At NutriGuide, our mission is to ensure that home cooking is both accessible and culinary-grade. When executing Banana Layer Cake, focus on fresh aromatics, dry surface contact for proper searing, and allowing the food to rest before serving.

Ingredients & Measurements

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/3 cup buttermilk
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 large ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1 1/4 cups white sugar
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 1/2 cup butter

Chef's Sourcing & Quality Tips:

  • Produce & Aromatics: Always use fresh whole aromatics and seasonal herbs rather than dehydrated powders when possible.
  • Cooking Oils: Utilize cold-pressed oils with appropriate smoke points such as extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil.
  • Salt & Seasoning: Season from a modest height above the pan to ensure an even, uniform crystalline dispersion.

Step-by-Step Culinary Masterclass

Follow these sequential steps with careful attention to sensory cues and cooking temperatures:

Step 1: Technique & Execution

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C)

Step 2: Technique & Execution

Grease and flour 2 (8 inch) round pans

Step 3: Technique & Execution

In a large bowl, cream together 1/2 cup butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar until light and fluffy

Step 4: Technique & Execution

Beat in the egg yolks one at a time

Step 5: Technique & Execution

Dissolve soda in buttermilk; add to creamed mixture alternately with flour, beginning and ending with flour

Step 6: Technique & Execution

Stir in the mashed bananas and pecans

Chef's Pro Tips & Variations

Nutritional Profile per Serving

MetricAmountDietary Benefit
Calories450 kcalControlled caloric load for steady metabolic burn
Protein35gHigh-biological-value protein for tissue maintenance
Carbohydrates33gComplex, slow-digesting dietary fiber
Fat11gWholesome dietary lipids for micronutrient absorption

Banana Layer Cake

This chef-curated Banana Layer Cake offers an authentic, wholesome dining experience. Created by Chief Culinary Specialist Stewart Lucas, it balances vibrant flavor with evidence-based nutrition.

★★★★★4.9 from 52 votes
Banana Layer Cake
CourseDinner
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time30 mins
Total Time50 mins
Servings4
AuthorStewart Lucas

Macro Nutrition Profile (Per Serving)

Calories23% DV
450 kcal
Protein70% DV
35g
Fat14% DV
11g
Carbs12% DV
33g
Scale Ingredients

Ingredients

Ingredient Substitutions

Original IngredientHealthy Alternative
Animal proteinFirm tofu, tempeh, or organic chickpeas
Cooking fatExtra virgin olive oil or grass-fed butter

Instructions

1

Technique & Execution: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C)

2

Technique & Execution: Grease and flour 2 (8 inch) round pans

3

Technique & Execution: In a large bowl, cream together 1/2 cup butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar until light and fluffy

4

Technique & Execution: Beat in the egg yolks one at a time

5

Technique & Execution: Dissolve soda in buttermilk; add to creamed mixture alternately with flour, beginning and ending with flour

6

Technique & Execution: Stir in the mashed bananas and pecans

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it turned out! Click a star below to leave a review and rate the recipe.

Storage & Freezing Tips

  • Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep the components separate if possible to preserve texture.
  • Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet on medium-low heat with a splash of olive oil or butter.
  • Freezing: Freezing is not recommended for this dish because ingredients like eggs become soggy, rubbery, or mushy when defrosted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this recipe be prepared ahead of time?▼

Yes, this meal is excellent for weekly meal prep. Store components separately and assemble before serving.

Is this recipe gluten-free?▼

All ingredients used are naturally gluten-free. If you are highly sensitive, verify that packaged ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Tried this recipe?

Tag @stewartlucas on Instagram and hashtag it #nutriguide!

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Stewart Lucas

Stewart Lucas

Chief Culinary Specialist

Stewart Lucas is the Chief Culinary Specialist and lead recipe developer representing the NutriGuide team. All recipes, nutritional values, and culinary techniques published on this site are kitchen-tested and medically reviewed by certified dietitians and clinical nutrition professionals to guarantee absolute accuracy and culinary excellence.

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