Some recipes feel like a warm hug on a chilly afternoon. Jamie Oliver’s banana cake is exactly that for me. It’s the kind of cake you find yourself sneaking a slice of before the cooling rack has even done its job. The soft, fragrant sweetness of ripe bananas blends with the gentle vanilla, creating a scent that fills the whole kitchen and makes you forget about whatever else was on your to-do list.
I remember the last time I made this, I was halfway through mixing the batter when my phone buzzed with a message that distracted me. I must’ve paused for a moment too long because the bananas mashed themselves into a perfectly imperfect texture—some chunks here, some smooth there. It didn’t matter; that little hitch somehow made the cake feel more homemade, less like a recipe, and more like a story.
As the cake baked, the buttery aroma wrapped around me like a soft blanket. When it finally came out, golden and inviting, I couldn’t resist cutting a piece while it was still warm. The crumb was tender and moist, the natural sweetness of the bananas shining without any over-the-top fuss.
Why You’ll Love It
- It’s simple — and that’s kind of the point. No complicated steps, just honest, comforting flavors.
- The texture is irresistibly soft and moist, with that natural banana sweetness doing all the heavy lifting.
- It fills your kitchen with a cozy warmth that feels like a small celebration of everyday moments.
- Not overly sweet, so it pairs well with a cup of tea or a dollop of cream without feeling heavy.
If you’re not quite sure about baking from scratch, this recipe is forgiving enough to welcome little imperfections in your mixing or timing. I usually find that these small quirks add personality rather than taking away from the end result.
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Jamie Oliver Banana Cake
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
A moist and flavorful banana cake inspired by Jamie Oliver’s recipe, perfect for a sweet treat or dessert. This cake combines ripe bananas with simple ingredients to create a deliciously soft texture and natural sweetness.
Ingredients
3 ripe bananas, peeled and mashed
250 grams self-raising flour
150 grams caster sugar
150 grams unsalted butter, softened
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a 20cm (8 inch) round cake tin, then line the base with baking parchment.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and caster sugar until pale and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Add the vanilla extract and mashed bananas to the mixture and stir until combined.
In a separate bowl, sift together the self-raising flour, baking powder, and salt.
Fold the dry ingredients gently into the wet ingredients until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake in the preheated oven for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the tin for 10 minutes.
Turn the cake out onto a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
Kitchen Notes: Using a simple round cake tin works perfectly here, and no special equipment is needed—just your regular mixing bowls and a spatula. I like to serve this cake slightly warm, maybe with a little butter melting on top, or even a spoonful of yogurt to balance the sweetness. Sometimes I add a handful of chopped nuts or a sprinkle of cinnamon into the batter, but I haven’t tested all of these variations extensively, so it’s a bit of a kitchen experiment every time. It’s also great sliced thick for breakfast toast or crumbled over ice cream for a quick dessert.
FAQ
Can I use frozen bananas? Absolutely, just thaw and drain any excess liquid before mashing.
How long does the cake stay fresh? It’s best eaten within three days if stored in an airtight container at room temperature, but you can freeze it for up to a month.
Is this recipe suitable for beginners? Totally. The instructions are straightforward, and the batter is forgiving if you mix a bit too much or too little.
Can I substitute the butter? You can try using margarine or coconut oil, but the texture might vary slightly.
Give it a go and see how that familiar banana sweetness can turn a simple moment into something memorable.