Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

This Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is the perfect dessert that marries the comforting flavors of banana bread with a decadent cake texture and a luscious, tangy frosting. It’s moist, flavorful, and offers the best of both worlds—perfect for any occasion.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love how the cake is incredibly moist with a deep banana flavor, and the cream cheese frosting just takes it over the top. The frosting adds a creamy, tangy contrast to the sweet banana cake, making every bite irresistible. Plus, it’s simple to make and always a crowd-pleaser!

ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Banana Cake

• ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened

• 1½ cups granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 cup full-fat sour cream

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 cups all‑purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 3 bananas)

Cream Cheese Frosting

• ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 3 cups powdered sugar

• 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper.

2. In a stand mixer or using a hand mixer, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.

3. Add the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract to the mixture, and beat until fully combined.

4. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

5. Gently fold in the mashed bananas until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 25–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

7. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before frosting.

8. To make the frosting, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and heavy whipping cream, and beat until the frosting is thick and fluffy.

9. Once the cake is cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Slice and serve!

Servings and timing

• Serves about 18 pieces, depending on portion size.

• Prep time: 20 minutes

• Bake time: 25–35 minutes

• Cooling and frosting time: ~1 hour

• Total time: Approximately 2 hours

Variations

• Spiced Banana Bread Cake: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for a spiced twist.

• Add-ins: Mix in some chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans, or even chocolate chips for added texture and flavor.

• Vegan Version: Replace the butter and cream cheese with plant-based versions and use non-dairy milk in place of sour cream.

• Mini Cakes: Bake in smaller pans or muffin tins to create individual servings. Adjust baking time accordingly.

storage/reheating

• Store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

• To reheat, let the cake sit at room temperature or microwave individual slices for about 10–15 seconds.

FAQs

How ripe should the bananas be?

I use bananas that are very ripe, with plenty of brown spots. The more ripe the banana, the more flavor and moisture it will provide to the cake.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, this cake actually tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld. Just store it in the fridge until ready to serve.

Can I freeze this cake?

Yes! If you want to freeze the cake, do so before frosting it. Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting and serving.

Can I use a different frosting?

Absolutely! While cream cheese frosting is a classic pairing, you can substitute it with a simple buttercream or even a chocolate ganache for a different flavor experience.

Can I use a different type of flour?

All-purpose flour works best, but you could substitute with a gluten-free flour blend if needed. The texture might be slightly different, but it should still be delicious.

Conclusion

This Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a delicious and easy-to-make dessert that combines the best of banana bread with the indulgence of a cake. The banana flavor is rich and comforting, and the cream cheese frosting adds just the right amount of tang and sweetness. It’s perfect for any occasion, and I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I do!

Print