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My Banoffee sheet cake features a moist banana cake topped with fluffy whipped cream, creamy dulce de leche and chocolate. This easy dessert might be even better than the original pie!

a slice of banoffee cake topped with dulce de leche, whipped cream, sliced bananas, and chocolate.

I love making sheet cakes like my Elvis Presley cake and my Mandarin orange cake for family gatherings. They're easy to make, easy to slice, and always gone by the end of the party. Another favorite is this Banoffee cake. It is my take on the famous British pie. This dessert from the other side of the pond is here to stay in my house!

Why This Recipe Works: A Sprinkle of Food Science

Graham Crackers In the Batter: Bananas and graham crackers deliver that classic banoffee flavor without the need for separate crust. In addition, the crackers help soak up excess moisture so the cake doesn't get soggy.
Ripe Bananas: As bananas ripen their starch becomes sugar which makes the cake sweet and moist.
Buttermilk: The acidity of buttermilk makes the tender by breaking down gluten bonds.

Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips

ingredients including butter, bananas, brown sugar, eggs, sugar, baking powder, flour, and cinnamon.

ingredients including bananas, dulce de leche, whipped cream, and chocolate.

Butter: Use unsalted butter if you have it.
Bananas: Look for very ripe bananas with spots. Make friends with the produce guy at your grocery store, as these overripe bananas go on sale once a week at my store. You can also bake them in their peel at 300 degrees for around 15 minutes to ripen them in the oven.
Whipped Cream: You can use homemade whipped cream or Cool Whip. If using homemade I suggest stabilizing it with gelatin to help it last longer.
Flour: Measure your flour by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling it off with a knife. Avoid dipping the cup into your flour canister or you may use too much leading to a dry cake.
Buttermilk: I love the slight tang and tenderness that buttermilk brings. If you don't have any you can make your own with 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice per cup of milk.
Dulce de Leche: Unlike caramel dulce de leche is made with milk which makes it thicker and it has a nuttier toffee like flavor that is perfect here. We like the brand Carmella, but Nestle's is also good.
Eggs: Bring to room temperature for around 30 minutes or dunk in a glass of warm (not hot water). This will help them incorporate smoothly.

a 4 image collage showing how to mash bananas, mix the banana ckae batter and spread it in a cake pan.

a four image collage showing how to spread dulce de leche and whipped cream on a banoffee cake and how to garnish it.

Krystle's Tips: Steal My Culinary School Secrets

Dulce De Leche Trick: If it is very thick, you can warm it up a bit to make spreading it easier. I also like to spray my spatula with nonstick cooking spray to make this process easier.
Don't Overmix: Mix until the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough, dense cake.
Don't Overbake: Bake until a tooth pick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. If your toothpick has wet batter keep baking a few minutes at a time.
Add Bananas Last: This prevents them from turning brown. You can also brush them with some lemon juice to delay this process a bit if you want to garnish before you leave the house for a party.