Dessert is always something to look forward to. Whether you’re ending your meal with a brownie sundae or enjoying a slice of cake with coffee, there’s no denying the excitement sweets bring. Of the many delectable dishes, banana desserts are some of the easiest and tastiest to make. The tropical fruit has lots to offer, including natural sweetness, moist texture, and creamy consistency. In that vein, it can be manipulated into almost every kind of dessert.

From decadent cakes to dreamy pies and puddings, bananas play a starring role in some of the best desserts. You probably have a good recipe for banana pudding or even a banana quick bread in your Rolodex. But the beauty of bananas is that they can do everything, including bringing sweetness to breakfast or being transformed into ice cream. If you’re on the hunt for a new dessert recipe to make for your family or friends, we’ve gathered five of our favorites to help get you started. Below, see the best banana dessert recipes to savor and enjoy.

Banana Cake

Ingredients 

• 1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (about 3-4 bananas)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
• 3 large eggs at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 and 1/2 cups (360ml) buttermilk at room temperature
• Cream cheese frosting

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch pan.
2. In a small bowl, mash the bananas with a fork.
3. In another bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together. Set aside.
4. Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed until smooth and creamy.
5. Add both sugars and beat on high speed for 2 minutes until creamed together. Then, scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.
6. Add the eggs and the vanilla to the bowl and beat at medium to high speed until combined. Then, beat in the mashed bananas.
7. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk, and mix each addition until it is incorporated.
8. Spread batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45–50 minutes.
9. Remove the cake from the oven and set on a wire rack. Allow to cool completely (about 45 minutes), or place it in the refrigerator to speed things up.
10. Use the cream cheese frosting of your choice to frost the cake. Then slice and serve.

Banana Pudding

Ingredients

• 2 cups cold milk
• 1  package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 container frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 1  package vanilla wafers
• 14 small bananas, sliced

Instructions

1. Place milk and pudding mix in a large bowl and beat with a whisk for 2 minutes.
2. Blend in condensed milk until smooth.
3. Stir in vanilla, then fold in whipped topping.
4. Layer wafers, banana slices, and pudding mixture in a glass serving bowl.
5. Chill pudding in the refrigerator for at least an hour and top with extra crushed wafers just before serving.

Banana Cream Pie

Ingredients

• 1 pie crust
• 2 bananas plus extra for decorating
• 2 cups cold milk
• 2 boxes instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 cups whipped topping

Instructions

1. Slice the bananas and arrange in the bottom of the pie crust.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk the vanilla pudding mix and cold milk until smooth. Let the mixture rest for 3 minutes to thicken, then fold in 1 cup of whipped topping.
3. Spread the pudding mixture over the bananas and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
4. Top with remaining whipped topping and decorate with banana slices and caramel or chocolate shavings if desired.

Fried Bananas in Honey Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 ripe bananas
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Cut the bananas into 1/2″ inch thick slices.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and whisk in the honey, lemon juice, cinnamon, and salt to combine.
3. Add the banana slices, and pan fry for 2-3 minutes on each side until caramelized.
4. Serve warm over ice cream or on top of fluffy pancakes or waffles.

Banana Ice Cream

Ingredients

• 2 ripe peeled bananas, cut into chunks and frozen
• 2 -4 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Place frozen bananas in a food processor and puree, adding the vanilla extract and a few spoonfuls of milk to soften the texture.
2. Serve as you would ice cream, and enjoy.

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