The Ultimate Banana Wafer Cake Recipe: No-Bake Dessert Magic

Sweet memories flood back whenever I whip up this delectable banana wafer cake that combines childhood nostalgia with irresistible flavor.

Crisp wafer layers nestle between soft, ripe banana-infused cream, creating a dessert that feels like a warm hug.

Creamy and light, each slice promises pure indulgence without overwhelming complexity.

Elegant yet approachable, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into something magical.

Chefs and home bakers alike will adore how effortlessly these components come together.

Layered with rich banana essence and delicate wafer crunch, you can’t help but fall in love with every single bite.

Let’s uncover the secret to making this dreamy confection that will definitely become your new favorite dessert.

Ingredients for Banana Wafer Cake

• Butter: A creamy base that provides richness and helps bind the cake together.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Eggs: Provide structure and help the cake rise during baking.
• Bananas: Ripe bananas bring natural sweetness and moisture to the cake.
• Nilla Wafers: Crushed cookies that add a delightful crunch and classic vanilla flavor.
• Pecans: Nuts that contribute a nutty taste and crunchy texture to the cake.

• Flour: The primary structure for the cake's foundation.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.

• Bundt Pan: A decorative cake pan that gives the cake its signature shape.
• Cooking Spray or Butter: Used to grease the pan and prevent the cake from sticking.

How to Make Banana Wafer Cake

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Fire up your oven to 350°F and generously coat a 10-inch bundt pan with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Creamy Base

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar
• Fresh eggs

Fold in ripe mashed bananas and mix thoroughly until everything looks beautifully combined.

Step 3: Add Crunchy Texture

• Crushed Nilla wafers
• Chopped pecans

Stir carefully to distribute evenly throughout the batter.

Step 4: Bake To Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared bundt pan, spreading it evenly.

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean with no wet batter.

Step 5: Cool And Reveal

Let the cake rest in the pan for 10-15 minutes. Run a knife around the edges to loosen, then carefully flip onto a serving plate.

Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing to ensure perfect texture and easy cutting.

Tips for Banana Wafer Cake

• Pulse Nilla wafers in a food processor for consistent, fine crumbs that distribute evenly throughout the cake batter.
• Use overripe, spotty bananas for maximum sweetness and deeper flavor profile in your cake.
• Toss crushed wafers with a tablespoon of flour before adding to batter to help them suspend evenly during baking.
• Add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt to the wet ingredients for an extra moist and tender cake texture.
• Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and soft crumb.

Variations of Banana Wafer Cake

• Chocolate Banana Crunch Cake: Add 1/2 cup cocoa powder to dry ingredients and sprinkle extra crushed chocolate wafers on top for a rich, decadent version.
• Tropical Banana Coconut Cake: Mix shredded coconut into the batter and top with toasted coconut flakes for a Caribbean-inspired treat.
• Spiced Banana Nut Cake: Incorporate ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom into the dry ingredients for a warm, aromatic profile that complements the banana and pecans.
• Gluten-Free Banana Wafer Cake: Replace regular flour with almond flour and use gluten-free wafer cookies to create an allergy-friendly alternative that maintains the original cake's delicious texture.

Pairings with Banana Wafer Cake

• Elevate Flavor Harmony: Pair this banana wafer cake with a smooth, velvety caramel latte to complement the nutty pecan and sweet banana notes.
• Chill and Contrast: Serve a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream alongside the cake, creating a delightful temperature and texture contrast that enhances the dessert's richness.
• Wine Elegance Boost: Select a late harvest Riesling with its subtle sweetness and fruity undertones, which beautifully balances the cake's dense, moist profile.
• Nutty Beverage Companion: Enjoy a warm mug of hazelnut-infused coffee, whose roasted undertones will intensify the cake's pecan and wafer elements.

Storing Banana Wafer Cake Properly

Store cake in an airtight container wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 5 days. Keeps moisture and prevents drying out.

Wrap completely cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.

Place slices in sealed containers or zip-lock bags. Refrigerate up to 4 days. Separate slices with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Warm individual slices in microwave for 15-20 seconds. For oven method, heat at 300F for 5-7 minutes, wrapped in foil to retain moisture.

FAQs

• Are Nilla wafers necessary for this recipe?

Yes, they provide texture and a classic vanilla flavor that’s key to the cake’s unique profile.

• Can I use a different type of pan?

While a bundt pan is recommended, you can use a 9×13 inch cake pan or two 8-inch round pans, adjusting baking time accordingly.

• How ripe should the bananas be?

Use very ripe, almost black bananas for maximum sweetness and moisture in the cake.

• Is it okay to skip the pecans?

You can omit pecans or substitute with walnuts if desired, but they add a nice crunch and nutty flavor to the cake.

Reasons to Try Banana Wafer Cake

• Craft Nostalgic Comfort: This banana wafer cake brings back memories of childhood treats, combining classic Nilla wafers with rich banana flavor for a trip down memory lane.
• Master Simple Baking Technique: Perfect for home bakers of all skill levels, the recipe requires basic mixing and standard baking steps that anyone can follow with confidence.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert Design: Bundt pan presentation makes this cake look impressive, while the combination of bananas, wafers, and pecans creates a texture-packed crowd-pleaser perfect for gatherings.
• Transform Everyday Ingredients: Turns ordinary pantry staples like ripe bananas and boxed wafers into a spectacular dessert that feels special without requiring exotic or expensive ingredients.

The Ultimate Banana Wafer Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Banana wafer cake brings a delightful twist to classic desserts, blending creamy textures with crisp layers. Smooth banana-infused cream and delicate wafers create a heavenly treat that you’ll savor with pure delight.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
• 5 eggs
• 1 (11 ounces) box Nilla wafers, finely crushed

Binding and Sweetening Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup butter, room temperature

Texture and Flavor Enhancing Ingredients:

• 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Thoroughly coat a 10-inch bundt pan with cooking spray, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking. Set oven temperature to 350°F.
2. Using an electric mixer, whip butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Incorporate eggs one at a time, blending smoothly after each addition.
3. Gently fold mashed bananas into the creamy mixture, creating a uniform texture that distributes fruit evenly throughout the batter.
4. Crush Nilla wafers into fine crumbs and roughly chop pecans. Delicately fold both ingredients into the banana mixture, maintaining a consistent blend.
5. Pour batter into prepared bundt pan, ensuring an even distribution and smoothing the top with a spatula for uniform baking.
6. Place pan in preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean with no wet batter.
7. Remove cake from oven and allow to rest in pan for 10-15 minutes, which helps prevent structural collapse during removal.
8. Carefully run a thin knife around the pan’s edges to loosen the cake, then confidently invert onto a serving plate.
9. Let cake cool completely at room temperature before slicing to maintain optimal texture and prevent crumbling.

Notes

• Prevent wafer crumbling by crushing them into fine, even pieces before mixing into the batter for better texture distribution.
• Enhance moisture by using overripe, very soft bananas with dark brown spots, which provide deeper sweetness and natural binding.
• Consider toasting pecans briefly before adding to intensify their nutty flavor and create a more complex taste profile in the cake.
• Gluten-free adaptation works perfectly by substituting regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend and using gluten-free vanilla wafers.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 397
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 65 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg