Do you love bananas? Do you want soft cake? Try this Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe! It is very moist.
It is easy to bake at home. The frosting is tangy. It tastes great with sweet bananas. It is perfect for birthdays. It is good for snack time too. Learn how to make Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.
The steps are simple. Here are all the ingredients for Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Bake it now. You will smile!
The Secret Behind This Delicious
What makes this cake so good? Ripe bananas! Mash them well. They give lots of flavor. They keep it moist. Buttermilk makes it soft. It does not get soggy.
Use room-temp items for frosting. It stays smooth. Brown sugar adds sweet caramel taste. Bake it just right. You get fluffy cake. No dry cake! My trick is sour cream.
It adds extra rich taste. One bite feels warm and nice. This recipe always works. Friends always want more!
Recipe Card info
- Recipe Name: Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Servings: 12
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Course: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
- Calories: 420 kcal per serving
Equipment List
- 9×13 inch baking pan
- Mixing bowls (2 large, 1 medium)
- Electric mixer or hand whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Fork for mashing bananas
- Rubber spatula
- Parchment paper or non-stick spray
- Cooling rack
- Offset spatula for frosting
Ingredients You Need for Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
For the Banana Cake:
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prep Pan
Turn oven on to 350°F (175°C). Grease the 9×13 pan. Or line it with parchment paper. Set it aside. - Mash Bananas
Peel the ripe bananas. Use a fork to mash them. Mash until very smooth. No big pieces. Measure 1 1/2 cups. - Mix Dry Ingredients
Put flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Whisk them together. Set the bowl aside. - Beat Wet Ingredients
Mix butter and brown sugar. Beat until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Mix in vanilla. Add bananas, buttermilk and sour cream. - Combine Wet and Dry
Add dry mix to the wet mix. Stir gently. Stir until just mixed. Do not stir too much. Batter should be thick. - Bake the Cake
Pour batter into the pan. Spread it even. Bake for 28-32 mins. Test with toothpick. It comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 mins. - Make Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat cream cheese and butter. Beat until smooth. Add powdered sugar a little at a time. Mix in vanilla, cream and salt. Beat until fluffy. - Frost the Cake
Let cake cool all the way. Spread frosting on top. Make swirls with spatula. Cut and serve!
Expert Tips & Variations
- Pick very ripe bananas. Brown spots mean more sweet taste. They make cake soft.
- Use butter and cream cheese at room temp. No lumps in batter or frosting.
- Do not skip buttermilk. It makes cake tender. No buttermilk? Mix milk with lemon juice.
- Add walnuts. Chop 1 cup. Mix into batter. Gives good crunch.
- For chocolate: Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips to batter. They melt in mouth.
- Vegan way: Use flax eggs. Use vegan butter and cream cheese.
- Frosting too sweet? Add 2 oz more cream cheese.
- High place baking? Use 325°F. Add 2 tbsp more flour.
Nutrition Information
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 420 kcal |
| Total Fat | 19g |
| Saturated Fat | 12g |
| Carbohydrates | 60g |
| Sugars | 45g |
| Protein | 5g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sodium | 320mg |
Values are approximate. Based on 12 servings.
Serving Suggestions
Give a slice with coffee. Frosting melts nicely. Put banana chips on top. Crunchy and fun. Great for picnics. Easy to cut. For birthdays, add sprinkles. Eat with ice cream.
Makes a sundae. Kids like it plain. Grown-ups like nuts. Good for holiday trays. Warm from oven? Add powdered sugar. So many ways to enjoy!
Storage & Reheating Tips
Cover frosted cake. Keep at room temp for 2 days. Put in fridge for 5 days. Use airtight box. Frosting gets hard in cold. Freeze cake without frosting. Up to 3 months.
Wrap in plastic tight. Thaw overnight. Add fresh frosting. Heat slice in microwave 15 secs. Or oven at 300°F for 5 mins. Stays moist and good!
Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
For the Banana Cake:
- 3 ripe bananas mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Preheat Oven and Prep Pan
- Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease 9×13 pan or line with parchment. Set aside.
Mash Bananas
- Peel ripe bananas. Mash with fork until smooth. No big chunks left. Measure 1 1/2 cups.
Mix Dry Ingredients
- Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in bowl. Set dry mix aside.
Beat Wet Ingredients
- Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one by one. Mix in vanilla, bananas, buttermilk, sour cream.
Combine Wet and Dry
- Add dry mix to wet. Stir gently until just combined. Don’t overmix. Batter thick and smooth.
Bake the Cake
- Pour batter into pan. Spread even. Bake 28-32 mins. Toothpick comes clean. Cool in pan 10 mins.
Make Cream Cheese Frosting
- Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar slowly. Mix in vanilla, cream, salt. Whip fluffy.
Frost the Cake
- Cool cake fully. Spread frosting thick. Swirl with spatula. Slice and serve!
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas. Spots mean more sweet flavor and softness.
- Room temp butter and cream cheese. Prevents lumps in batter and frosting.
- Don’t skip buttermilk. Makes cake tender. Use milk + lemon if none.
- Add walnuts. Chop 1 cup, fold into batter for crunch.
- Chocolate twist: Mix 1/2 cup chips into batter. Melts in every bite.
- Vegan option: Swap eggs for flax eggs, use vegan butter and cream cheese.
- Frosting too sweet? Add more cream cheese, 2 oz extra.
- High altitude? Bake at 325°F, add 2 tbsp flour more.
FAQs about Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Can I make Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting gluten-free?
Yes. Use gluten-free flour that is 1:1 swap. Add 1/2 tsp xanthan gum if needed. Bake same time. Frosting is fine. Cake stays moist and tasty.
How to make Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting without buttermilk?
Mix 1/2 cup milk with 1/2 tbsp lemon juice. Wait 5 mins. Use it like buttermilk. Cake stays fluffy. No need to go to store.
Why is my cake dense?
You mixed too much. Stir just until flour is gone. Use ripe bananas. Check your oven heat. Next time it will be perfect.
Can I bake in rounds?
Yes. Use two 9-inch pans. Bake 25 mins. Stack layers. Put frosting in between. Looks fancy but easy.
How long does frosting last?
Make it ahead. Keep in fridge 1 week. Let it soften before use. Freeze up to 2 months. Beat after thawing.
Conclusion
Your kitchen smells so good now! This Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe makes everyone happy. Steps are easy. Smiles are big.
It is great comfort food. Bake it today. Share with family. What is your best topping? Tell me in comments. Happy baking, friends!
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