Of course! The Elvis Presley Sheet Cake is a legendary dessert that combines three of The King’s favorite flavors: banana, peanut butter, and bacon.
It’s a moist banana cake, topped with a warm peanut butter frosting, and finished with crispy, crumbled bacon. It’s a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and rich flavors.
Here is a classic recipe for this iconic sheet cake.
Elvis Presley Sheet Cake
This recipe is designed for a standard 9×13 inch sheet pan or jelly roll pan.
Ingredients:
For the Banana Cake:
· 2 cups all-purpose flour
· 2 cups granulated sugar
· 1 teaspoon baking soda
· 1/2 teaspoon salt
· 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
· 1 cup water
· 1/2 cup buttermilk
· 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
· 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2-3 medium bananas)
For the Peanut Butter Frosting:
· 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
· 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
· 6 tablespoons buttermilk
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
· 4 cups powdered sugar
For the Topping:
· 6-8 slices of bacon, cooked until very crispy, then crumbled
Instructions:
- Make the Cake:
· Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
· In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
· In a medium saucepan, combine the 1 cup of butter and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
· Immediately pour the boiling butter mixture over the dry flour mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon or mix on low speed with an electric mixer until just combined.
· Add the 1/2 cup of buttermilk, beaten eggs, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Mix until smooth.
· Gently fold in the mashed bananas until evenly distributed.
· Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
· Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. While the cake is baking, prepare the frosting.
- Make the Frosting:
· About 5 minutes before the cake is done baking, combine the 1/2 cup butter, peanut butter, and 6 tablespoons of buttermilk in a medium saucepan.
· Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the butter and peanut butter are melted and the mixture is smooth. Do not let it boil vigorously.
· Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla extract.
· Gradually whisk in the powdered sugar until the frosting is smooth and pourable.
- Assemble the Cake:
· As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, while it is still hot, pour the warm peanut butter frosting over the top.
· Use an offset spatula to gently spread the frosting evenly over the entire cake. It will seem very liquidy but will set up as it cools.
· Immediately sprinkle the crumbled bacon evenly over the warm frosting, pressing it in slightly.
· Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Tips for the Perfect Elvis Cake:
· Banana Ripeness: Use bananas that are very ripe (lots of brown spots) for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
· Bacon is Key: Cook the bacon until it’s very crispy. This ensures it adds a crunchy, salty texture and doesn’t become chewy on the cake. Blot it well on paper towels to remove excess grease.
· Buttermilk Substitute: No buttermilk? Make your own! For every 1/2 cup of buttermilk, place 1 ½ teaspoons of white vinegar or lemon juice in a measuring cup. Add enough regular milk to reach the 1/2 cup line. Stir and let it sit for 5 minutes until it curdles.
· Peanut Butter: Creamy, standard peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy) works best for a smooth frosting. Natural peanut butter with oil separation can make the frosting greasy.
· Don’t Wait! The most important step is pouring the frosting over the hot cake. This allows the frosting to soak in slightly, making the cake incredibly moist.
Enjoy this decadent tribute to The King! It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for potlucks, parties, or any time you’re feeling a little adventurous.