If you love classic banana bread but want something a little softer, sweeter, and more dessert-like, this Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is the perfect treat. It’s everything you adore about banana bread — the aroma, the flavor, the cozy nostalgia — but transformed into a tender, moist cake topped with rich, fluffy cream cheese frosting. Ideal for birthdays, potlucks, holidays, or an everyday sweet craving, this cake is always a crowd-pleaser.

In this article, you’ll find the best banana bread cake recipe, step-by-step instructions, tips for success, storage information, and fun variations to try.

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🍌 Why You’ll Love This Banana Bread Cake

There are so many reasons this dessert is a favorite:

✔ Ultra Moist Texture

Ripe bananas add natural sweetness and keep the cake incredibly soft.

✔ Easy, One-Bowl Recipe

No complicated techniques — simple ingredients, amazing results.

✔ Perfect Frosting Pairing

Tangy cream cheese frosting balances the sweetness and gives the cake a bakery-style finish.

✔ Versatile

Serve it for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or a snack. It fits every occasion.

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🥣 Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Banana Bread Cake

• 1 ½ cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3–4 bananas)
• ½ cup melted butter (or coconut oil)
• 1 cup granulated sugar (or maple syrup for a healthier twist)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

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🍰 How to Make Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Follow these simple steps to get perfect, bakery-quality results at home.

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1. Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

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2. Mash the Bananas

Use very ripe bananas — the darker the peel, the sweeter the flavor. Mash until smooth.

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3. Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, mix together:

• Mashed bananas
• Melted butter
• Sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla

Whisk until fully combined.

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4. Add the Dry Ingredients

Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Gently fold until just combined — do not overmix.

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5. Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool completely before frosting.

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🎂 Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Beat until light and fluffy.

Spread generously over the cooled cake.

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⭐ Tips for the Best Banana Bread Cake

Use super ripe bananas

Brown, spotty bananas deliver the sweetest flavor and moistest texture.

Don’t overmix the batter

Overmixing can make the cake dense. Fold ingredients gently.

Let the cake cool fully

Frosting a warm cake will cause the frosting to melt.

Add-ins elevate the flavor

Chocolate chips, chopped walnuts, or cinnamon swirl make the cake even better.

Use room-temperature ingredients for frosting

This ensures the frosting turns out smooth and lump-free.

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🥄 Fun Variations to Try

🍫 Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Cake

Add 1 cup of chocolate chips to the batter.

🌰 Banana Walnut Cake

Fold in ½–1 cup chopped walnuts for crunch.

🍓 Banana Berry Cake

Add 1 cup blueberries or diced strawberries.

🍁 Healthier Banana Cake

Swap sugar for maple syrup and butter for coconut oil (your preference!).

🎉 Banana Birthday Cake

Top with sprinkles and serve as a fun, kid-friendly birthday treat.

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🧊 How to Store Your Cake

Refrigerator:

Store covered for up to 5 days. The frosting stays fresh and delicious.

Freezer:

Freeze slices for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly and thaw in the fridge.

Make-Ahead:

Bake the cake and store (unfrosted) for 1–2 days; frost right before serving.

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🍽 Serving Suggestions

This cake is great on its own or paired with:

• Fresh fruit
• Hot coffee or tea
• Vanilla ice cream
• Caramel drizzle
• Toasted nuts

Serve chilled for a denser texture or at room temperature for extra softness.

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📌 Why This Recipe Works Beautifully

• Ripe bananas add both moisture and flavor
• Cream cheese frosting brings richness and tang
• The cake is easy enough for beginners
• No mixer needed for the batter
• Perfect results every time

This recipe is simple yet impressive — the kind of dessert people request again and again.

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📖 Printable Recipe Card

Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:
Bananas, butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, baking soda/powder, salt, cinnamon, cream cheese, powdered sugar.

Instructions:

1. Mix wet ingredients.
2. Add dry ingredients.
3. Bake 25–35 minutes at 350°F.
4. Make frosting.
5. Frost cooled cake.

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