Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a moist, fluffy cake packed with sweet banana flavor and topped with a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting.

The natural sweetness of ripe bananas makes this cake extra soft and tender, while the cream cheese frosting adds the perfect balance of sweetness and tang. This cake is ideal for birthdays, holidays, or simply as a sweet treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer or whisk
• 9×13-inch cake pan or two 9-inch round cake pans
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spatula
• Cooling rack

Ingredients Overview

• Bananas: Overripe bananas add natural sweetness and moisture to the cake.
• Butter: Adds richness and enhances the banana flavor.
• Cream cheese: Creates a smooth, tangy frosting that pairs beautifully with the banana cake.
• Spices: A touch of cinnamon enhances the depth of flavor in the cake.

Ingredients

For the Banana Cake

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2-3 bananas)
• ¾ cup buttermilk

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

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

Directions

Make the Banana Cake

1. Preheat the Oven
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch cake pan or two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
   In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar
   In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Add Bananas and Buttermilk
   Mix in the mashed bananas, then alternate adding the dry ingredients and the buttermilk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined—do not overmix.
5. Bake the Cake
   Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan(s) and spread it evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes (for a 9×13-inch pan) or 25-30 minutes (for 9-inch round pans), or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.

Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

6. Beat the Cream Cheese and Butter
   In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
7. Add the Powdered Sugar
   Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Beat until fluffy.
8. Frost the Cake
   Once the cake has cooled completely, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Slice and enjoy!

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

30-35 minutes

Total Time

50 minutes

Nutrition (per slice, ~12 servings)

• Calories: ~350
• Fat: ~18g
• Carbohydrates: ~45g
• Protein: ~4g

Expert Tips

• Use Overripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the better the flavor! Look for bananas with brown spots for maximum sweetness.
• Don’t Overmix: Mix the batter until just combined to keep the cake light and fluffy.
• Chill the Frosting: If your frosting is too soft, chill it for 10-15 minutes before spreading it on the cake.

FAQs

Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes! The cake can be baked a day in advance and stored at room temperature, covered. Frost it just before serving.

Can I freeze banana cake?
Yes, wrap the unfrosted cake tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before frosting.

What if I don’t have buttermilk?
You can make a substitute by mixing ¾ cup milk with 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.

Storing & Freezing

• Storing: Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.
• Freezing: Wrap the unfrosted cake in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Frost after thawing.

Substitutions & Variations

• Nutty Version: Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch.
• Chocolate Banana Cake: Stir in ½ cup mini chocolate chips to the batter.
• Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free butter and cream cheese alternatives for the frosting.

Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a moist, fluffy cake packed with sweet banana flavor and topped with a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• - Electric mixer or whisk
• - 9x13-inch cake pan or two 9-inch round cake pans
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spatula
• - Cooling rack

Ingredients

  

• #### **For the Banana Cake**
• - 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• - 1 teaspoon baking soda
• - 1 teaspoon baking powder
• - ½ teaspoon salt
• - 1 teaspoon cinnamon optional
• - ½ cup unsalted butter softened
• - ¾ cup granulated sugar
• - ½ cup brown sugar packed
• - 2 large eggs
• - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• - 1 cup mashed ripe bananas about 2-3 bananas
• - ¾ cup buttermilk
• #### **For the Cream Cheese Frosting**
• - 8 oz cream cheese softened
• - ½ cup unsalted butter softened
• - 2 cups powdered sugar
• - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• - Pinch of salt

Instructions

 

• #### **Make the Banana Cake**
• **Preheat the Oven**
• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch cake pan or two 9-inch round cake pans.
• **Mix Dry Ingredients**
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
• **Cream the Butter and Sugar**
• In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
• **Add Bananas and Buttermilk**
• Mix in the mashed bananas, then alternate adding the dry ingredients and the buttermilk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined—do not overmix.
• **Bake the Cake**
• Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan(s) and spread it evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes (for a 9x13-inch pan) or 25-30 minutes (for 9-inch round pans), or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
• #### **Make the Cream Cheese Frosting**
• **Beat the Cream Cheese and Butter**
• In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
• **Add the Powdered Sugar**
• Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Beat until fluffy.
• **Frost the Cake**
• Once the cake has cooled completely, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Slice and enjoy!