Banana Buttercream

Can I tell you about this cool thing I did with a gross banana? 

OK, so I shouldn't have written that. As I looked back at it I immediately could see that it could be interpreted in very many wrong ways, but at the same time, it made me laugh, so I'm keeping it.

Anyhow, back to the gross banana. It's totally gross. It got this way because it was in my car and I forgot about it for 2 days. Sorry, banana.

Well, I had just recently made banana bread so I wanted to try something different, and found myself thinking: hey, could I make buttercream with a banana? 

Well, as fast as I could peel that awful thing I did and decided to see what would happen.

I started by discarding the yucky peel.

Then, I put my banana in my stand mixer. I added some sugar.

I added a bunch more. After about 3 cups I believed I had something here; after 6 cups, it was of a buttercream consistency.

It is thicker and more viscous than buttercream - I think that is the nature of the beast. But it worked! I topped some of my recently baked hot milk cake with it, and it was glorious. It was very sweet because quite a bit of sugar did have to be added, but tasty. I think with caramel, or with some salt, it would have been even better. 

But you know, I decided the fun should not in fact stop there. The buttercream sets firm, so I decided I should make use of it quickly. So I slightly chilled it in the fridge, then rolled it into little banana buttercream balls. Which I coated in rainbow sprinkles, because that is what one does, right? 

So, there you have it: banana buttercream is a thing, it's vegan, and it's here for you. Here's how you do it.

Banana buttercream

Makes about 2 cups 

  • 1 very ripe, almost gross, banana
  • 4-6 cups confectioners' sugar

(note: I didn't add vanilla or anything, but I think it's a good idea! I just forgot in my excitement over the experiment)

Combine the banana and 2 cups of confectioners' sugar in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Cream it together; as the sugar is absorbed, add more, 1 cup at a time, until it reaches a good spreading consistency. Stir in a teaspoon of vanilla or a little salt if you wanna. 

Use it on whatever cake or cookies you'd like! Enjoy! 

Psst! If you like this, you might enjoy this avocado cake recipe, which features avocado buttercream!

Have you ever made an "alternative" buttercream?