If you love banana bread and cake, this Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is the best of both worlds. Moist, rich banana cake layers are topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting and garnished with fresh banana slices for a classic dessert that feels homey yet indulgent. Perfect for gatherings, birthdays, or an afternoon treat, this cake will easily become a new family favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Banana Bread Cake
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Incredibly moist and soft thanks to ripe bananas and buttermilk.
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Perfect balance of flavors – sweet bananas with tangy cream cheese frosting.
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Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients.
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Beautiful presentation – frost, decorate, and you have a showstopper dessert.
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Great for any occasion from weekday dessert to special celebrations.
Ingredients
For the Banana Bread Cake:
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1 ½ cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3-4 bananas)
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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¼ teaspoon salt
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½ cup unsalted butter, softened
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1 cup granulated sugar
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½ cup brown sugar, packed
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2 large eggs
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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½ cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice/vinegar as a substitute)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
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8 oz cream cheese, softened
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½ cup unsalted butter, softened
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3–4 cups powdered sugar (adjust to desired sweetness)
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
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Prepare the Pan
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch pan (or two 9-inch round pans). -
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. -
Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. -
Add Eggs and Bananas
Mix in eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla extract. Stir in mashed bananas until smooth. -
Combine Wet and Dry
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix just until combined. -
Bake
Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 30–35 minutes (9×13 pan) or 25–28 minutes (round pans) until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. -
Cool Completely
Let cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. -
Frosting
Beat together cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Spread over cooled cake. -
Garnish
Top with banana slices right before serving for extra freshness.
Storage & Freezing Instructions
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Storage: Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
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Freezing: Wrap the unfrosted cake tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw and frost before serving.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
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Pair with hot coffee or tea for a cozy treat.
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Garnish with chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) for added crunch.
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Add a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce for an elegant touch.
Pro Tips for Perfect Banana Bread Cake
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Use very ripe bananas – the riper, the sweeter.
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Avoid overmixing the batter; it keeps the cake tender.
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Frost only when the cake is completely cooled to prevent melting.
Conclusion
This Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a nostalgic dessert with a bakery-worthy finish. It’s an easy recipe that yields impressive results, making it a go-to dessert for home bakers.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use frozen bananas?
Yes! Thaw and drain them before mashing.
2. Can I make this as a layer cake?
Absolutely. Use two 9-inch round pans and layer with frosting in between.
3. Can I add nuts or chocolate chips?
Yes, ½ cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips works perfectly in the batter.
4. Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
You can, but full-fat cream cheese gives a richer, creamier frosting.
Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a soft, moist, and rich dessert that combines the classic flavors of banana bread with a fluffy cake texture. It’s topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting and fresh banana slices for a bakery-style finish.
Ingredients
For the Banana Bread Cake:
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1 ½ cups mashed ripe bananas (3–4 bananas)
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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¼ teaspoon salt
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½ cup unsalted butter, softened
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1 cup granulated sugar
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½ cup brown sugar, packed
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2 large eggs
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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½ cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 tbsp lemon juice)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
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8 oz cream cheese, softened
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½ cup unsalted butter, softened
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3–4 cups powdered sugar (adjust for sweetness)
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
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Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan or two 9-inch round pans.
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Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
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Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy.
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Add eggs and bananas: Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla and mashed bananas.
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Combine wet and dry: Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture alternately with the buttermilk, starting and ending with the dry. Stir just until combined.
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Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
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Cool: Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
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Make frosting: Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Spread evenly over the cooled cake. Garnish with banana slices if desired.
Notes
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Use very ripe bananas for the sweetest flavor.
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For an extra touch, sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans on top.
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Always frost only when the cake has cooled completely.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 47g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg