Banana Pudding Cake with Caramel and White Chocolate Drizzle and Pecans: A Decadent Delight

If you're looking for a dessert that combines the comforting, nostalgic flavors of banana pudding with a rich, indulgent twist, this Banana Pudding Cake with Caramel and White Chocolate Drizzle is the perfect treat. It's the ultimate fusion of classic Southern flavors and modern dessert trends, making it the perfect addition to any holiday gathering, celebration, or weekend indulgence.

Picture this: moist banana cake, layered with creamy banana pudding, and topped with a decadent drizzle of caramel and white chocolate. It's a showstopper of a dessert that will have everyone asking for the recipe. But don’t worry—this cake is as easy to make as it is delicious. Let’s dive into the recipe!

Banana Pudding Cake with Caramel and White Chocolate Drizzle

Ingredients:

For the Banana Pudding Cake:

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup buttermilk (or milk)

• 1/2 cup sour cream

For the Banana Pudding Filling:

• 2 cups heavy cream

• 1/2 cup whole milk

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

• 3 large egg yolks

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 ripe banana, thinly sliced

For the Caramel Sauce:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter

• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

• 1/4 cup heavy cream

• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

• A pinch of salt

For the White Chocolate Drizzle:

• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

• 1 tablespoon heavy cream

• A pinch of salt

Instructions:

Step 1: Make the Banana Pudding Cake

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or two 8-inch cake pans, depending on your preference.

2. Prepare the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

3. Cream the butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.

4. Add the eggs and banana: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the mashed bananas and vanilla extract. Continue mixing until everything is combined.

5. Add the dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk and sour cream. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined—be careful not to overmix.

6. Bake the cake: Pour the batter into your prepared cake pan(s). Bake for 25-30 minutes (for one 9-inch cake, or 20-25 minutes for two 8-inch cakes), or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

7. Cool the cake: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, you can slice it horizontally into two layers if you baked a single cake.

Step 2: Prepare the Banana Pudding Filling

1. Heat the milk and cream: In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream and whole milk over medium heat. Heat until it just starts to simmer, but do not boil.

2. Whisk the egg yolks and sugar: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and salt until smooth.

3. Temper the egg mixture: Slowly add a small amount of the hot milk mixture into the egg yolks while whisking constantly. This will prevent the eggs from scrambling. Gradually add the rest of the milk mixture to the egg yolks, continuing to whisk.

4. Cook the pudding: Pour the combined mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the pudding thickens (about 4-5 minutes). Once thickened, remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

5. Cool the pudding: Transfer the pudding to a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap (making sure the wrap touches the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming), and refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.

Step 3: Make the Caramel Sauce

1. Melt the butter: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.

2. Add the sugar and cream: Stir in the brown sugar, heavy cream, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3-4 minutes until the caramel has thickened slightly.

3. Add the vanilla: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let the caramel cool slightly before drizzling over the cake.

Step 4: Make the White Chocolate Drizzle

1. Melt the white chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the white chocolate chips and heavy cream. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in between, until the white chocolate is completely melted and smooth.

2. Drizzle over the cake: Once melted, drizzle the white chocolate mixture over the cake using a spoon or piping bag. Set aside to firm up slightly.

Step 5: Assemble the Cake

1. Layer the cake: If you baked a single cake, slice it horizontally into two even layers. If you used two smaller cakes, simply stack them. Place the first layer of cake on a serving platter.

2. Add the banana pudding filling: Spread a generous layer of the chilled banana pudding over the first layer of cake. Add a layer of thinly sliced banana on top of the pudding.

3. Top with the second layer of cake: Place the second layer of cake on top, pressing down gently to secure it.

4. Drizzle with caramel and white chocolate: Drizzle the warm caramel sauce over the top of the cake, followed by the white chocolate drizzle. Let the drizzles naturally fall over the sides for a beautiful, decadent presentation.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Slice and serve this decadent Banana Pudding Cake with Caramel and White Chocolate Drizzle to your family and friends. It’s the perfect dessert for holiday gatherings, birthday parties, or just a special treat for yourself. The layers of moist banana cake, creamy banana pudding, sweet caramel, and silky white chocolate make every bite a little slice of heaven.

Why You’ll Love This Banana Pudding Cake:

1. Comforting Flavors: The combination of banana pudding and cake brings a familiar, comforting taste of home that everyone loves.

2. Rich and Decadent: The caramel and white chocolate drizzle take this classic dessert to a whole new level, adding layers of richness and indulgence.

3. Perfect for Special Occasions: This cake isn’t just a dessert—it’s a showstopper. With its beautiful layers and gorgeous drizzles, it's perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any time you want to impress guests.

4. Texture Contrast: The soft, fluffy cake, the creamy pudding, and the smooth drizzles offer a satisfying contrast of textures in every bite.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been searching for the perfect holiday or special occasion dessert, Banana Pudding Cake with Caramel and White Chocolate Drizzle is it. It's everything you love about banana pudding, but with a little more elegance and flair. With its rich, comforting flavors and indulgent touches, this cake will quickly become a family favorite.

So the next time you’re planning a celebration or just looking for a delicious treat to brighten your day, give this dessert a try. Trust me, it’ll be worth every bite!