At Eminent Recipes, I love sharing simple, comforting dishes that bring families together—and this Banana Dump Cake with Walnuts is a perfect example. It’s quick, easy, and incredibly versatile, making it ideal for busy weeknights or special celebrations. With the sweet richness of bananas paired with the nutty crunch of walnuts, this recipe creates a balanced, one-pan dessert that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’re looking for a dessert that’s comforting, quick, and sure to please, this Banana Dump Cake with Walnuts will win you over instantly. It combines the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with the rich crunch of walnuts, creating a cozy, homemade flavor that feels like a hug in every bite. Best of all, it’s incredibly easy—no complicated steps, no fancy equipment, just simple ingredients layered together to bake into perfection.
This recipe is wonderfully versatile. You can keep it classic with bananas and walnuts, or add your own twist by mixing in chocolate chips, pineapple, or even a swirl of strawberry for a fruity surprise. It’s a dessert that adapts to your pantry and your mood, making it a reliable favorite for weeknights or holidays.
Another reason you’ll love this recipe? It’s family-friendly and crowd-pleasing. Even picky eaters can’t resist the golden, cake-like topping paired with the gooey banana base. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel, and you’ll have a dessert everyone remembers.
Ingredients for This Recipe
This Banana Dump Cake with Walnuts comes together with just a handful of simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Each one plays an important role in creating that irresistible combination of sweet, soft banana goodness with a crunchy, golden topping.
🛒 Ingredients:
- 4 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, drained (optional for moisture & sweetness)
- 1 box yellow cake mix (about 15 oz)
- 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla or banana pudding mix (dry)
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted or sliced
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
The ripe bananas provide natural sweetness and keep the cake base soft and flavorful. Pineapple is optional, but it adds extra moisture and a tropical hint that pairs beautifully with bananas. The yellow cake mix and pudding mix make this recipe incredibly easy while still delivering rich flavor. Butter ensures the topping bakes into a golden crust, while walnuts bring that perfect nutty crunch. A dash of cinnamon adds a warm, cozy finish that makes this dessert even more inviting.
How to Make This Recipe
Making this Banana Dump Cake with Walnuts couldn’t be easier—it’s all about layering ingredients and letting the oven do the hard work. You don’t need fancy tools or hours in the kitchen; just a few steps and you’ll have a warm, comforting dessert ready to serve.
Step 1: Prepare the pan. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 2: Layer the bananas. Slice your ripe bananas and spread them evenly across the bottom of the dish. If using crushed pineapple, scatter it over the bananas for added sweetness and moisture.
Step 3: Add the dry mix. Sprinkle the yellow cake mix evenly on top of the fruit layer. Follow with the dry pudding mix, which helps create extra richness and flavor.
Step 4: Add butter and walnuts. Drizzle melted butter (or place thin slices across the top) so it soaks into the mix while baking. Sprinkle chopped walnuts evenly for a crunchy finish.
Step 5: Bake. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling around the edges. Serve warm, ideally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Expert Cooking Tips
When making a Banana Dump Cake with Walnuts, a few simple tricks can take your dessert from good to unforgettable. These expert tips will help you avoid common mistakes and get the perfect balance of flavors and textures every time.
Choose ripe bananas. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your cake will be. Spotty bananas are perfect here.
Don’t skip the butter. Whether you melt it or slice it into pats, butter is what helps the cake mix turn into a golden, slightly crisp topping. Without enough butter, the cake may bake up dry or powdery.
Prevent sinking walnuts. To keep walnuts from dropping to the bottom, toss them lightly in a tablespoon of cake mix before sprinkling them over the top. This keeps them suspended in the batter as it bakes.
Customize with add-ins. Chocolate chips, strawberries, or even a swirl of caramel can make fun variations without changing the simple process.
Let it rest before serving. Giving the cake 10–15 minutes to cool allows the layers to set, making it easier to scoop and serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.
FAQs
Do bananas and walnuts go together?
Absolutely! Bananas and walnuts are a classic flavor pairing. The natural sweetness of bananas balances beautifully with the earthy crunch of walnuts, making them perfect partners in desserts like banana bread—or this Banana Dump Cake with Walnuts.
What is the biggest mistake to avoid when making a dump cake?
The most common mistake is not using enough butter. Butter is essential because it moistens the cake mix, allowing it to bake into a golden crust instead of staying powdery. Always make sure your cake mix is evenly covered with butter.
Can you put walnuts in banana cake?
Yes, walnuts are a popular addition to banana cakes, banana bread, and dump cakes. They add texture, richness, and a slightly nutty flavor that complements bananas perfectly.
How to stop walnuts sinking in a cake?
To keep walnuts from sinking, toss them lightly in a tablespoon of dry cake mix before adding them to the batter or sprinkling them on top. This helps suspend the nuts evenly throughout the cake as it bakes.
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This Banana Dump Cake with Walnuts is the perfect dessert for busy weeknights, casual gatherings, or special occasions. Its combination of sweet, ripe bananas, crunchy walnuts, and a golden, buttery topping makes it irresistible for the whole family. The best part? It’s quick, simple, and highly adaptable—feel free to add chocolate chips, pineapple, or a hint of cinnamon to make it your own. Whether served warm with ice cream or enjoyed on its own, this easy dump cake proves that comforting, homemade desserts don’t have to be complicated. Give it a try, and watch it become a new family favorite.
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Banana Dump Cake with Walnuts
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This easy dump cake layers sweet bananas, pudding mix, and buttery yellow cake mix with crunchy walnuts. It bakes into a soft, gooey filling with a crisp topping—like banana bread meets cobbler.
Ingredients
🛒 Ingredients:
4 ripe bananas, sliced
1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, drained (optional for moisture & sweetness)
1 box yellow cake mix (about 15 oz)
1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla or banana pudding mix (dry)
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted or sliced
½ cup chopped walnuts
½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
📝 Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Banana Layer: Arrange sliced bananas evenly in the bottom of the dish.
- (If using pineapple, spread it evenly over the bananas.)
- Add Dry Mixes: Sprinkle the dry pudding mix evenly over the fruit. Sprinkle the dry cake mix on top of the pudding layer. Do not stir.
- Butter & Walnuts: Drizzle melted butter evenly across the cake mix (or dot with butter slices). Sprinkle chopped walnuts and cinnamon on top.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, until golden brown and bubbling.
- Serve: Cool slightly. Serve warm with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Notes
- Riper bananas = sweeter flavor. Use spotty bananas for best taste.
- Nut-Free Option: Skip walnuts or swap with pecans, hazelnuts, or granola.
- Extra Indulgent: Add chocolate chips or a swirl of Nutella before baking.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American