TooJay's Deli is renowned for its delicious Banana Dream Cake, a moist, flavorful, and intensely satisfying dessert. While the exact recipe remains a closely guarded secret, this recreation captures the essence of that beloved cake, allowing you to enjoy a taste of TooJay's at home. This recipe focuses on achieving that signature moist crumb and rich banana flavor that makes TooJay's Banana Dream Cake so memorable.
Ingredients:
This recipe yields a 9x13 inch cake.
For the Cake:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4-5 medium bananas)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Optional Garnish:
- Chopped pecans or walnuts
- Maraschino cherries
Instructions:
Making the Cake:
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
- Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Banana Power: Gently fold in the mashed bananas.
- Bake: Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cake cool completely in the pan before frosting.
Making the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Cream Cheese & Butter: In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy.
- Flavor Boost: Stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
Assembling the Cake:
- Frost: Once the cake is completely cool, frost it evenly with the cream cheese frosting.
- Garnish (Optional): Sprinkle with chopped pecans or walnuts and/or maraschino cherries for an extra touch of elegance.
Tips for TooJay's-esque Success:
- Banana Ripeness: Use very ripe bananas for the best flavor and moisture. The riper, the better!
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the batter can lead to a tough cake. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined.
- Cooling Time: Allowing the cake to cool completely before frosting is crucial for preventing the frosting from melting.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter, cream cheese, and eggs are at room temperature for optimal mixing and texture.
This recipe aims to capture the spirit of TooJay's Banana Dream Cake. While it may not be identical, it offers a delicious and satisfying alternative that will surely become a favorite in your home. Enjoy!
