If you love the cozy flavor of banana bread and the creamy richness of cake, this Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is your dream dessert come true! Imagine the sweet aroma of ripe bananas, the soft and fluffy crumb of a tender cake, and a luscious layer of tangy cream cheese frosting on top ā itās pure comfort in every bite.
Perfect for brunch, birthdays, holidays, or any time you crave a moist and flavorful dessert, this cake combines the best of both worlds: the heartiness of banana bread and the indulgence of a classic frosted cake.
š Why Youāll Love This Cake
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Super moist and flavorful thanks to ripe bananas and a touch of brown sugar.
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Easy to make ā no mixer needed for the batter.
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Crowd-pleaser ā simple ingredients, bakery-quality results.
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Perfectly balanced ā not too sweet, just right with the tangy frosting.
š„£ Ingredients
For the Banana Cake:
- 1 ½ cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3ā4 medium bananas)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tsp lemon juice, let sit 5 mins)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, but delicious!)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
š©āš³ Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease and flour a 9Ć13-inch baking pan (or line with parchment paper).
Step 2: Make the Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
Add the eggs, vanilla, and mashed bananas, stirring until combined.
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
Add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture alternately with the buttermilk, stirring just until smooth. Do not overmix ā this keeps the cake soft and tender.
Step 3: Bake
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread evenly.
Bake for 35ā40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool completely before frosting.
Step 4: Make the Frosting
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until fluffy.
Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, and beat until smooth and creamy.
Step 5: Frost and Serve
Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cake.
For an extra touch, sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans on top, or drizzle with a little caramel sauce.
Slice into squares and enjoy!
š Tips for Perfect Banana Bread Cake
⨠Use very ripe bananas ā the darker the peel, the sweeter and more flavorful your cake will be.
⨠Donāt overmix the batter once you add the flour ā this keeps the texture light.
⨠Let the cake cool completely before frosting so the cream cheese doesnāt melt.
⨠For extra flavor, try adding ½ cup chopped nuts or ½ cup mini chocolate chips to the batter.
š® Storage
- Refrigerator: Store covered for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze unfrosted cake for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and frost before serving.
š§ Variations
- Maple Frosting: Replace vanilla with 1 teaspoon maple extract and add a drizzle of maple syrup on top.
- Coconut Twist: Fold in ½ cup shredded coconut and top with toasted flakes.
- Layer Cake Version: Divide the batter into two 8-inch round pans for a beautiful layered presentation.
- Healthier Option: Use whole wheat flour, coconut oil, and maple syrup instead of sugar.
ā¤ļø Final Thoughts
This Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is everything you love about homemade baking ā moist, flavorful, and irresistibly creamy. Each bite is pure comfort: the sweetness of bananas, the tang of the frosting, and the warmth of vanilla all blend beautifully together.
Itās a cake thatās simple enough for weekday baking but elegant enough for any celebration. Serve it with coffee or tea, and watch it disappear slice by slice!
Print
š Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
For the cake:
⢠1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free 1:1 blend)
⢠¾ cup granulated sugar
⢠1 tsp baking soda
⢠½ tsp cinnamon
⢠¼ tsp salt
⢠3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 ¼ cups)
⢠ā
cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
⢠2 eggs
⢠1 tsp vanilla extract
For the cream cheese frosting:
⢠8 oz cream cheese, softened (or dairy-free alternative)
⢠½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
⢠3 cups powdered sugar
⢠1ā2 tbsp milk or cream
⢠½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round pans or line with parchment.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix mashed bananas, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until just combined.
- Divide batter between pans and bake 25ā30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
Make the frosting:
6. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then milk and vanilla. Whip until light and fluffy.
7. Assemble: Place one cake layer on a plate. Spread with frosting. Top with second layer. Frost top and sides.
⨠Store in the fridge for extra-dense texture!
š” Make ahead: Assemble up to one day in advance. Store covered in the fridge.
PREP TIME & NUTRITION :
Prep Time : 20 mins , Cook Time : 30 mins , Total Time : 1 hr 30 mins (includes cooling) , Servings : 10 slices , Calories : 380 per slice , Net Carbs: 48g , Fats: 19g , Protein: 5g