If you love the cozy sweetness of bananas paired with rich, luscious toffee, then you are in for a treat with this Sticky Toffee Banana Cake Recipe. This cake perfectly balances the warmth of ripe bananas with the indulgent, buttery toffee sauce that soaks the cake, creating a moist, flavorful dessert that will quickly become your favorite for family gatherings or a comforting treat any day of the week. The combination is utterly irresistible, inviting you to savor every bite with a smile and maybe even a second helping.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A white bowl holds a soft, pale yellow mashed mixture with a slightly lumpy texture. A woman’s hand is using a metal fork to mash the contents inside the bowl, which rests on a white marbled surface. The lighting is natural and bright, showing the smooth yet slightly chunky consistency of the food inside the bowl. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Getting started on this Sticky Toffee Banana Cake Recipe is delightfully simple. The ingredients are straightforward but each plays a key role in building the sweet, moist texture and deep flavors that make the cake unforgettable.

All purpose flour: The base of the cake provides structure and a tender crumb when measured and leveled carefully.
Baking powder and baking soda: These leavening agents ensure the cake rises perfectly and stays light.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance flavors and enhance the sweetness.
Unsalted butter: Melted and slightly cooled, it adds richness and moisture.
Sugar: Sweetens the cake and aids in browning for that inviting golden crust.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients while adding fluff and depth to the texture.
Very ripe mashed bananas: The star ingredient delivering natural sweetness and moistness, made from 2-3 spotty bananas.
Fresh lemon juice: This brightens the banana flavor and prevents discoloration in the batter.
Vanilla extract: Adds warm, aromatic undertones that complement the bananas beautifully.
Heavy whipping cream: Essential for the toffee sauce to create that creamy, decadent texture.
Dark brown sugar: Provides the deep caramel notes in the sauce.
Light corn syrup: Keeps the sauce smooth and glossy without crystallizing.
Butter for sauce: Adds that indulgent buttery richness in the toffee topping.
Pinch of salt in sauce: Balances the sweetness for a more complex flavor.
Sliced ripe bananas and chopped pecans: Perfect for garnishing and adding a fresh, crunchy texture when serving.

How to Make Sticky Toffee Banana Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F and generously butter and flour an 8×8-inch baking dish. This small but crucial step ensures your cake bakes evenly and comes out of the pan without sticking, setting the stage for a perfect texture.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This blend will help your cake rise nicely and give it a lovely lightness without any bitter aftertaste, so don’t skip this step.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip the melted butter and sugar until they blend smoothly. Then, add the eggs one at a time, followed by the mashed bananas, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Mixing these wet ingredients well layers your cake with the rich flavors and incredible moistness bananas are known for.

Step 4: Gently Incorporate Dry Ingredients

On low speed, gradually add the flour mixture to the wet bowl, stirring just until combined. Over-mixing can make your cake dense, so take it easy and trust that a tender crumb is on its way.

Step 5: Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and pop it in the oven. Bake until the cake turns a glorious golden color and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 35 minutes. The house will smell amazing by this time—go ahead and sneak a little taste of the batter if you must!

Step 6: Make the Toffee Sauce

While the cake bakes, create the luscious toffee sauce by bringing the heavy cream, dark brown sugar, light corn syrup, butter, and a pinch of salt to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat. Whisk until the sugar dissolves. Then reduce the heat and let it cook gently, whisking occasionally until it thickens to a syrupy consistency. This sauce is pure magic and will soak the cake with sticky sweetness.

Step 7: Finish Baking with Sauce

Once baked, spoon about one-third cup of the toffee sauce evenly over the cake surface, then slide it back into the oven. The sauce will bubble vigorously while baking for about 6 minutes, soaking into the cake and infusing it with that signature sticky toffee flavor.

Step 8: Cool and Portion

Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes to set the flavors. Then cut it into 9 large squares or 12 rectangles—perfect for sharing or indulging all to yourself at once.

How to Serve Sticky Toffee Banana Cake Recipe

Three square pieces of cake are shown on dark gray plates, each cake piece has a moist brown texture and is topped with a layer of smooth caramel sauce. On top of the caramel layer are thin slices of light yellow banana arranged closer to the middle, and scattered chopped nuts add texture and color to the top and sides. The caramel sauce is slightly dripping down the sides of the cake. In the back, three clear glass cups filled with amber-colored tea sit on a white marbled surface, with one cup placed on a white saucer. The background has a soft focus and the scene feels cozy and inviting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

To really elevate this cake, top with extra sliced bananas and crunchy chopped pecans. These add fresh fruit brightness and a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the moist cake and silky toffee sauce.

Side Dishes

Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a cool, creamy element that complements the warm cake tremendously. A cup of rich coffee or black tea is the ideal beverage pairing to cut through the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a stunning dessert centerpiece, drizzle additional toffee sauce artistically around plated slices and scatter pecans for texture. You can also turn the cake into an elegant trifle layered with whipped cream and banana slices for special occasions.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, keep any leftover Sticky Toffee Banana Cake wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. The cake remains soft and delicious, but for longer freshness, refrigerate.

Freezing

This cake freezes beautifully without the toffee sauce. After baking and cooling completely, double-wrap the cake securely in foil or plastic freezer wrap and store in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating with the warm sauce added fresh.

Reheating

To enjoy this cake just like freshly baked, reheat slices in a warm oven for 10-15 minutes with toffee sauce spooned over the top. You can also microwave on medium power briefly but be careful not to dry it out. Serve warm for maximum comfort.

FAQs

Can I use overripe bananas for this recipe?

Absolutely! Overripe bananas with lots of brown spots are best because they lend more sweetness and moisture, resulting in a richer flavor that makes the Sticky Toffee Banana Cake Recipe so special.

Is it possible to make this cake gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking flour blend, but be sure it includes xanthan gum for structure. The texture might be slightly different, but the taste remains delicious.

How long does the toffee sauce keep?

The toffee sauce can be made up to two days ahead and refrigerated. Before using, rewarm it gently on the stove to restore its velvety consistency and shine.

Can I use other nuts instead of pecans for garnish?

Definitely! Walnuts, almonds, or even toasted hazelnuts work wonderfully. They all add that tempting crunch and nutty flavor that pairs with the sticky toffee sauce beautifully.

What is the best way to tell when the cake is done?

Look for a golden top and use a toothpick or tester inserted in the center — it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. This indicates your Sticky Toffee Banana Cake Recipe is perfectly baked and ready to enjoy.

Final Thoughts

Trust me, once you try this Sticky Toffee Banana Cake Recipe, it will become a beloved classic in your recipe collection. The harmony of soft banana cake with that rich, sticky toffee sauce is a genuine crowd-pleaser that feels like a warm hug on a plate. I can’t wait for you to bake it, share it, and savor every sticky, sweet bite with the people you love.