Irresistible Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Heavenly Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Warm aromas of freshly baked banana bread with cream cheese frosting waft through the kitchen, promising pure comfort and indulgence.

Soft, moist banana cake layers paired perfectly with tangy cream cheese frosting create a dessert that’s irresistibly decadent.

Every slice tells a delicious story of ripe bananas transformed into a luxurious treat.

The combination of sweet fruit and rich frosting makes this dessert a showstopper at any gathering.

Bakers love how simple ingredients blend into something extraordinary.

Delicate crumbs and smooth frosting promise a delightful experience that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Get ready to savor a slice of pure bliss that elevates your baking game.

Storing Banana Cake the Right Way

  • Smart Slicing Strategy: Cut the banana bread cake into individual portions before storing, making grab-and-go snacks easier throughout the week. Wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and freshness.
  • Refrigeration Rules: Store the frosted cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Place a sheet of wax paper between layers to prevent sticking and preserve the cream cheese frosting's smooth texture.
  • Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap the unfrosted cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and add fresh cream cheese frosting before serving for maximum flavor and texture.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cake batter and refrigerate overnight before baking. This technique allows flavors to develop and makes morning baking quick and convenient. Simply let the batter come to room temperature before popping it into the oven.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients for Banana Bread Cake

For Cake Base:
  • Butter: Provides rich, velvety texture and deep golden color to the cake's crumb, best when softened at room temperature.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a tender, moist cake structure with delightful caramelization.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the cake's light, fluffy consistency.
  • Sour Cream: Adds luxurious moisture and tangy depth, ensuring a supremely soft cake texture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, aromatic undertones.
For Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Forms the foundational structure of the cake, providing essential stability.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cake rise and creates a light, airy crumb with perfect lifting power.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and heightens other flavor profiles in the cake.
For Fruit Component:
  • Bananas: Deliver natural sweetness, moisture, and distinctive fruity essence to the cake.
For Cream Cheese Frosting Base:
  • Butter: Creates smooth, spreadable frosting with rich, creamy consistency.
  • Cream Cheese: Provides tangy, luxurious flavor and silky texture to the frosting.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic undertone to complement the cream cheese.
For Frosting Finishing:
  • Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the frosting, creating perfect spreadable consistency.
  • Heavy Whipping Cream: Softens frosting and adds elegant, light texture.

What You Need to Bake Banana Cake

  • Large Bowl: Perfect for mixing cake ingredients thoroughly.
  • Electric Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, and whipping frosting to smooth consistency.
  • 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Ideal for baking the banana bread cake evenly.
  • Spatula: Great for spreading batter smoothly and frosting the cake.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing center for moist crumbs.
  • Whisk: Useful for blending dry ingredients and ensuring no lumps.

Instructions for Moist Banana Cake

  • Preparation Space

Set up your kitchen with all necessary baking tools, ensuring a clean and organized workspace for creating this delightful banana treat.

  • Mixing Magic

Combine soft butter and sugar in a large bowl, blending until the mixture becomes light and airy. Incorporate eggs, sour cream, and a splash of vanilla, stirring until everything is perfectly harmonized.

  • Flour Power

Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, creating a smooth batter. Carefully fold in ripe, mashed bananas, allowing their natural sweetness to shine through.

  • Baking Transformation

Pour the batter into a prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Slide the pan into a preheated oven and bake until golden and a toothpick comes out clean, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.

  • Creamy Crowning Glory

Whip together cream cheese and butter until silky smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, creating a luscious frosting that will make your cake absolutely irresistible.

  • Final Touch

Once the cake has completely cooled, generously spread the cream cheese frosting across the top, creating beautiful swirls and peaks that will make everyone’s mouth water.

Flavor Notes & Frosting Tricks

  • Banana Bread Cake Cooking Tips & Variations
  • Banana Selection: Use overripe bananas with dark brown or black spots for maximum sweetness and deeper flavor. Older bananas provide more intense banana taste and natural sugars.
  • Texture Trick: Gently fold mashed bananas into batter to maintain tender cake consistency. Avoid overmixing, which can create dense, tough cake texture.
  • Frosting Finesse: Ensure cream cheese and butter are room temperature for smooth, lump-free frosting. Sift powdered sugar to prevent clumpy frosting appearance.
  • Flavor Boost: Experiment with mix-ins like chopped walnuts, chocolate chips, or shredded coconut for extra crunch and flavor complexity. Add 1/2 cup of preferred additions directly into batter before baking.
  • Storage Smart: Store cake covered in refrigerator for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for best taste and texture.

Serving Banana Cake with Elegance

  • Cozy Brunch Companion: Serve this banana bread cake alongside a steaming cup of coffee or freshly brewed tea for a delightful morning treat that warms both heart and soul.
  • Sweet Gathering Centerpiece: Bring this dessert to potlucks, family reunions, or weekend get-togethers where its creamy frosting and rich banana flavor will become the talk of the party.
  • Afternoon Snack Upgrade: Cut into smaller squares and pack in lunchboxes or enjoy with an afternoon tea, making ordinary moments feel extra special with its comforting homemade goodness.
  • Festive Holiday Dessert: Dress up the cake with a sprinkle of chopped nuts, a dusting of cinnamon, or colorful holiday sprinkles to transform it into a festive seasonal showstopper that everyone will adore.
Print
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Irresistible Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Irresistible Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe


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4.9 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Classic banana bread takes center stage in this moist, flavorful cake layered with rich cream cheese frosting. Rich with ripe bananas and warm spices, this dessert delights both family and friends with its comforting flavors that you’ll savor to the last crumb.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
  • 1½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (240 ml) mashed bananas (about 3 bananas)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream (full-fat)
  • ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 bar (8 oz / 226 g) cream cheese (full-fat)
  • 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar
  • ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) butter, softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsps heavy whipping cream

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F and delicately grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure smooth cake release.
  2. Creaming: Whip butter and sugar in a spacious bowl until the mixture becomes fluffy and pale, creating a light foundational texture.
  3. Wet Ingredient Integration: Blend eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture, whisking until achieving a uniform, silky consistency.
  4. Dry Ingredient Incorporation: Gently fold flour, baking soda, and salt into the wet ingredients, stirring carefully to maintain a smooth batter without overmixing.
  5. Banana Enhancement: Fold mashed bananas into the batter, ensuring even distribution while preserving the cake’s delicate structure.
  6. Baking Process: Pour the batter into the prepared dish, smoothing the surface evenly, then bake for 25-35 minutes until a golden-brown crust forms and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  7. Cooling and Frosting Preparation: Allow the cake to cool completely, then craft the cream cheese frosting by whipping butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and heavy cream until achieving a luxurious, silky texture.
  8. Finishing Touch: Spread the creamy frosting generously across the cooled cake, creating an elegant, even layer before slicing and serving this decadent banana delight.

Notes

  • Prevent Sticking: Lightly grease the baking dish to ensure easy cake removal and clean slicing.
  • Creaming Technique: Whip butter and sugar until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for a tender cake texture.
  • Mixing Mastery: Fold ingredients gently to avoid overmixing, which can lead to a dense, tough cake.
  • Cooling Critical: Allow cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure perfect cream cheese topping.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 45 g
  • Sodium: 230 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 13 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 58 g
  • Fiber: 1.5 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts

Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

Dietary Planning​, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education​, Content Development​

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
  • Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.​

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

  • Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice. ​

Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating. 

Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.

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