Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a delightful treat that brings back warm memories for many people. Just the thought of it might make you reminisce about cozy afternoons spent at home or friendly gatherings filled with laughter and good food. This cake blends the comforting sweetness of ripe bananas with the creamy delight of frosting, making it a perfect dessert or snack. People love this recipe because it’s easy to whip up, and there’s almost always a good reason to bake it—whether it’s a special occasion or just a simple weekend treat.
Banana Bread Cake is worth trying because of its rich flavors and simple ingredients. It’s a lovely way to use up those ripe bananas sitting on your counter, and it always comes out moist and delicious. Best of all, you can share it with family and friends, creating more wonderful memories around the table.
Why Make This Recipe
This recipe stands out not only because of its delightful taste but also due to its remarkable simplicity. Making Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting does not require any baking expertise, which means anyone can enjoy the process and the final product. The ingredients are easy to find, and you likely have most of them in your kitchen already.
The cake has a wonderfully rich flavor from the ripe bananas, which adds natural sweetness. The cream cheese frosting is velvety and smooth, perfectly balancing the moist cake underneath. It’s a dessert that feels fancy yet is rooted in everyday life, making it special for both rituals and casual gatherings.
One of the best things about this recipe is its flexibility. It can be served at breakfast, as an afternoon snack, or even as a dessert for dinner. It’s a cake that brings people together, whether you’re serving it at a holiday party or enjoying a quiet moment with a cup of tea.
How to Make Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Making Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a delightful experience. It starts with the aroma of ripe bananas, and it fills your kitchen with a warm, comforting scent as it bakes.
To begin, you’ll gather your ingredients. Make sure your bananas are nice and ripe! The riper they are, the sweeter your cake will be. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and preparing a 9×13-inch baking pan by greasing it and lining it with parchment paper. This will help the cake come out easily once it’s baked.
Next, in a large bowl, you’ll mash the bananas and whisk them together with the eggs, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, sour cream, and vanilla extract. You want everything to blend well until it’s smooth. The smell of bananas will make your mouth water as you mix!
In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon (if using). The cinnamon adds a lovely hint of warmth to the cake but is totally optional. Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Do this gently—overmixing can make your cake dense.
Once everything is combined, pour the batter into your prepared pan. Now, as it bakes in the oven for about 30 to 35 minutes, the aroma will fill your home, making it hard to resist sneaking a taste. You can check if it’s done by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready.
While the cake cools completely, you can make the cream cheese frosting. Beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Then, gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. The frosting should be smooth and creamy, perfect for spreading over the cooled cake.
Once your cake is completely cool, it’s time for frosting. Spread a generous layer over the top, and for an extra touch, consider chilling it in the fridge for about 15 to 20 minutes. This helps set the frosting just a little, making it even more delightful to slice.
Ingredients
Here’s a simple list of the ingredients you’ll need to make Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, along with what each one does:
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed: Adds natural sweetness and moisture to the cake, making it tender.
- 2 large eggs: Helps bind your ingredients and adds richness to the cake.
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil: Keeps the cake moist and helps it stay soft.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake. You can reduce this if you prefer less sweetness, especially since ripe bananas are already sweet.
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed: Adds a deeper flavor and moisture due to its molasses content.
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt: Contributes to the cake’s moistness and creaminess; plain yogurt can be a good substitute if you’re dairy-free.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the cake, making it smell and taste wonderful.
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: Forms the structure of the cake.
- 1 tsp baking soda: Helps the cake rise, giving it a soft and fluffy texture.
- 1/2 tsp baking powder: Works with the baking soda to ensure the cake rises beautifully.
- 1/2 tsp salt: Balances the sweetness of the cake.
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional): Adds a delicious warmth and spiciness if desired.
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened: Forms the base of the creamy frosting, giving it a rich flavor.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened: Adds creaminess and richness to the frosting.
- 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted: Sweetens the frosting and helps it achieve a smooth consistency.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Adds an extra layer of flavor to the frosting.
- Pinch of salt: Balances the sweetness of the frosting.
Directions
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Preheat your oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This helps the cake bake evenly.
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Prepare the baking pan: Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper. This step ensures that your cake comes out easily without sticking.
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Mix the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, mash 3 ripe bananas. Once mashed, add 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup sour cream (or plain yogurt), and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Whisk everything together until it’s smooth and well combined.
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Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and optional 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon. Make sure there are no lumps.
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Fold the mixtures together: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Use a spatula to fold them together gently until just combined. Remember, don’t overmix! This helps your cake stay light and fluffy.
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Pour and bake: Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to spread it evenly. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick. If the toothpick comes out clean, your cake is ready.
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Cool the cake: Once baked, take the pan out of the oven and let it sit on a wire rack to cool completely. This step is important; if you frost the cake while it’s warm, the frosting could melt away.
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Make the frosting: While the cake is cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a medium bowl, beat together 8 oz softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter until light and fluffy. Slowly add in 2 cups sifted powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat until smooth and creamy.
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Frost the cake: Once your cake has cooled completely, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. If you want, you can chill the frosted cake in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes to set the frosting.
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Serve and enjoy: Slice the cake into squares and serve it with a cup of tea or coffee. Enjoy the delightful flavors and moist texture!
How to Serve Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is so versatile that it can be enjoyed at many different times. It’s perfect for breakfast, especially with a hot cup of coffee or tea. Imagine starting your day with a warm slice of this moist cake!
You can also serve it as a delightful afternoon snack. It pairs beautifully with a glass of cold milk or a refreshing iced tea. If you’re hosting a gathering, serve it for dessert after dinner, and watch as everyone falls in love with the creamy frosting and moist cake.
For special occasions like birthdays or holidays, you could even dress it up by adding sprinkles on top of the frosting or serving it on a decorative platter. It becomes a centerpiece dessert that everyone will enjoy.
How to Store Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
If you find yourself with leftovers (which might be rare because it’s so delicious!), storing this cake is quite simple.
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At room temperature: If you plan to eat it within a few days, cover the cake with plastic wrap or foil and store it at room temperature. It’ll stay fresh for about 3 to 4 days.
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In the refrigerator: To keep it fresh for a longer time, consider storing it in the fridge. Wrap the cake securely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to avoid it drying out. It can last about a week in the fridge.
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Freezing: If you wish to keep it for even longer, you can freeze it. Slice the cake into individual pieces before freezing. Wrap each slice in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
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Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy a slice from the freezer, let it thaw overnight in the fridge, or you can microwave it for a few seconds to warm it up. The frosting will melt just slightly, making each bite even more delightful.
Tips to Make Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
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Use overripe bananas: The more brown spots on your bananas, the sweeter and tastier your cake will be.
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Don’t overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined. This helps keep your cake tender.
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Keep the oven door closed: Avoid opening the oven door while the cake is baking. This helps maintain a consistent temperature, which is crucial for a good rise.
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Cool completely before frosting: Wait for your cake to cool fully before adding the frosting, or the frosting might melt and slide off.
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Make it ahead: This cake can be made a day or two in advance, making it perfect for busy days or special occasions.
Variation
If you want to mix things up or cater to specific dietary needs, here are a few tasty variations on the Banana Bread Cake:
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Add nuts or chocolate chips: Fold in 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or chocolate chips to the batter for extra texture and flavor.
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Make it gluten-free: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend instead of regular flour. This allows those with gluten sensitivities to enjoy the cake too.
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Dairy-free option: Substitute dairy ingredients with vegan options. Use coconut milk yogurt instead of sour cream and a dairy-free cream cheese for the frosting.
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Add spices: Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or ginger to the batter for a different flavor profile.
FAQs
Q: Can I make Banana Bread Cake ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake the cake a day or two in advance and store it in the fridge. Just ensure it’s covered well to keep it moist. The flavors meld together beautifully when it sits!
Q: What’s the best way to reheat it?
For reheating, you can microwave individual slices for about 15-20 seconds. This warms them up nicely without drying out the cake. Alternatively, let slices come to room temperature, especially if they were stored in the fridge.
Q: Can I use a different cheese or flour?
Definitely! If you want to use a different cream cheese type, you can find dairy-free cream cheeses at most grocery stores. You can also substitute the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour or oat flour if you need to cater to dietary restrictions.
Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful and moist banana bread cake topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
- Pinch of salt (for frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mash the bananas and add the eggs, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, checking for doneness with a toothpick.
- Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack.
- In a medium bowl, beat together softened cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and pinch of salt, beating until smooth.
- Once the cake is completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
- Optional: Chill the frosted cake for 15 to 20 minutes to set the frosting.
- Slice and serve with coffee or tea.
Notes
For variations, consider adding nuts or chocolate chips, making it gluten-free with a suitable flour blend, or using dairy-free alternatives.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: banana bread cake, cream cheese frosting, dessert, easy baking, moist cake