Salted Caramel Gluten-Free Banana Cake

ByFoodieMom

Indulge in the perfect combination of sweet bananas and rich salted caramel! This incredibly moist gluten-free banana cake is topped with luscious salted caramel frosting for a dessert that’s both comforting and elegant.

Why You’ll Love This Salted Caramel Banana Cake

This gluten-free banana cake is everything you want in a dessert – incredibly moist, perfectly spiced, and topped with the most decadent salted caramel frosting! Made with ripe bananas and gluten-free flour, it’s so tender and flavorful that no one will guess it’s gluten-free.

The homemade salted caramel takes this cake from good to absolutely irresistible, creating the perfect balance of sweet and salty that will have everyone asking for seconds!

Ingredients for Salted Caramel Banana Cake

For the Banana Cake:

  • 3 large ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 2 cups gluten-free flour blend (with xanthan gum)
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

For the Salted Caramel Sauce:

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt

For the Caramel Frosting:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce (from above)
  • 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

For Garnish:

  • Extra salted caramel sauce
  • Flaky sea salt
  • Sliced bananas (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep Time: 25 minutes | Cook Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour | Serves: 12

  1. Prepare for baking: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9×13 inch pan or two 9-inch round pans with gluten-free flour.
  2. Make the cake batter: In a large bowl, whisk together mashed bananas, melted butter, both sugars, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla until smooth.
  3. Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together gluten-free flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  4. Combine wet and dry: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined. Don’t overmix.
  5. Bake the cake: Pour batter into prepared pan(s). Bake 30-35 minutes for 9×13 pan or 25-30 minutes for round pans, until toothpick comes out clean.
  6. Make salted caramel: While cake bakes, heat sugar in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until melted and amber colored. Add butter, then slowly whisk in cream. Remove from heat, add vanilla and salt. Let cool.
  7. Make frosting: Beat softened butter until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then caramel sauce, cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat until smooth and spreadable.
  8. Assemble: Once cake is completely cool, frost with caramel frosting. Drizzle with extra caramel sauce and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

Pro Tips for Perfect Banana Cake

  • Use very ripe bananas: Brown spots mean maximum sweetness and flavor
  • Don’t overmix: Gluten-free batters can become gummy if overworked
  • Room temperature ingredients: Ensures smooth mixing and even texture
  • Test doneness carefully: Gluten-free cakes can look done before they are
  • Cool completely: Essential before frosting to prevent melting

Delicious Variations

Chocolate Banana Version

Add:

  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder to dry ingredients
  • Reduce flour by 1/4 cup

Nutty Banana Cake

Include:

  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
  • Toasted nuts for garnish

Dairy-Free Option

Substitute:

  • Coconut oil for butter
  • Coconut milk for buttermilk and cream

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Room temperature: Store covered for up to 3 days. Refrigerator: Keeps for up to 1 week, bring to room temperature before serving. Freezer: Unfrosted cake freezes for up to 3 months. Make-ahead: Bake cake and make caramel up to 2 days ahead, frost day of serving.

Perfect Pairings

Serve this moist banana cake with:

  • Vanilla ice cream
  • Fresh whipped cream
  • Coffee or espresso
  • Milk for the kids

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use regular flour instead? A: Yes! Substitute with equal amount of all-purpose flour and omit xanthan gum if your GF blend contains it.

Q: My caramel crystallized, what went wrong? A: Don’t stir too vigorously when sugar is melting, and make sure cream isn’t too cold when adding.

Q: Can I make this without the frosting? A: Absolutely! Dust with powdered sugar or serve with just the caramel drizzle.

Q: How ripe should the bananas be? A: Very ripe with brown spots – they should be soft and sweet.

The Ultimate Comfort Dessert

This salted caramel banana cake combines two beloved flavors into one show-stopping dessert. The tender, moist cake paired with rich caramel frosting creates a perfect balance that’s both comforting and elegant. Whether you’re serving it for a special occasion or just because you deserve something delicious, this gluten-free cake delivers incredible flavor that everyone will love!