Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

There’s something truly magical about a homemade Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Every bite is tender, moist, and rich with the sweet, fragrant flavor of bananas—all wrapped in a silky, tangy blanket of cream cheese frosting. This classic cake brings back cozy childhood memories and turns an ordinary afternoon into an occasion. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, a family dinner, or just treating yourself, there’s no better way to satisfy both cake and banana bread cravings in one irresistible slice.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this recipe lies in its everyday ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role—some provide lift and tenderness, others add depth and flavor, and a few offer that all-important signature tang. Gather these simple staples and you’ll have all you need to create a memorable Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.

• Ripe bananas: The more speckled and sweet, the better—they give the cake moistness and a big banana flavor.
• Granulated sugar: Essential for sweetness and those lightly caramelized edges in every bite.
• Sour cream: Adds extra moisture and a subtle tanginess that enhances the cake’s softness.
• Vegetable oil: Keeps the crumb light and tender; unflavored coconut oil is a great substitute for a subtle twist.
• Large eggs: Bind everything together and provide structure.
• Vanilla extract: One splash brings warmth and extra depth to both cake and frosting.
• All-purpose flour: The base for structure, providing the perfect soft texture.
• Baking powder: Ensures the cake rises evenly and stays fluffy.
• Baking soda: Teams up with sour cream and banana to give the cake just the right lift.
• Salt: Balances out the sweetness and heightens all the flavors.
• Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): For those who love a bit of crunch in every bite, nuts add rich flavor and nutty texture.
• Cream cheese (room temperature): The key to a smooth, tangy, creamy frosting that spreads easily.
• Butter (room temperature): Blends with the cream cheese for an ultra-luxurious, spreadable frosting.
• Powdered sugar: Brings sweetness and body to the frosting while keeping it silky and soft.
• Additional toppings: A shower of chopped nuts and banana slices adds both crunch and beauty just before serving.

How to Make Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. This ensures the cake bakes up evenly from the very start. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray so your Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting doesn’t stick, and set the pan aside. A little prep goes a long way in ensuring an effortless cake release later.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, mash those ripe bananas until they’re mostly smooth—with a few small lumps for texture. Add the sugar, vegetable oil, sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract. Use a whisk or hand mixer to blend everything together until creamy and uniform. This fragrant mixture forms the flavor-packed heart of the cake.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Giving these dry ingredients a quick blend with a fork or whisk not only breaks up clumps but also ensures that the leaveners and salt are evenly distributed—key for a perfect rise and flavor balance.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Gradually add the dry mix to your bowl of wet ingredients. Whisk or use your mixer to bring the batter together—take care not to overmix. If you love nuts, this is the moment to fold in chopped walnuts or pecans gently with a spatula. You’ll notice the batter is lusciously thick and fragrant—a preview of the softness you’ll taste in the finished cake.

Step 5: Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake at 350 degrees for 32 to 35 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top is beautifully golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan—this is essential so your cream cheese frosting glides on perfectly without melting.

Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cake cools, beat the room temperature cream cheese and butter together in a mixing bowl until the mixture is velvety smooth. Add vanilla, then gradually mix in the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, scraping down the sides. You should end up with a thick, swoon-worthy frosting—just the right consistency to spread luxuriously over your banana cake masterpiece.

Step 7: Frost and Finish

Generously slather the cooled cake with your cream cheese frosting, creating fluffy swirls or a smooth finish as you wish. Sprinkle chopped nuts or top with fresh banana slices for a beautiful and delicious final touch. Now, you’re ready to slice, serve, and swoon!

How to Serve Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Garnishes

No Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is complete without a little flair. A scattering of extra chopped walnuts or pecans offers crunch and a pop of color, while a few fresh banana slices signal the flavor inside. For an elegant finish, try a light dusting of powdered sugar right before serving or a drizzle of honey for a sweeter touch.

Side Dishes

This cake is truly the star of any dessert table, but it pairs beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or tea. For a light, refreshing contrast, serve with a fruit salad or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If it’s a brunch affair, include savory favorites like quiche or scrambled eggs to create a well-rounded spread around your Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Creative Ways to Present

Transform your classic cake into a celebration centerpiece by baking cupcakes or using a bundt pan for a show-stopping effect. For parties, cut the cake into bite-sized squares and serve as petit fours. Or go retro and turn it into a trifle, layering banana cake cubes, frosting, and fresh fruit in a glass bowl for dramatic presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting fresh and moist, store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator. Because of the cream cheese, this cake should be chilled, and it stays delicious for up to five days. Simply cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or transfer slices to an airtight container.

Freezing

If you’d like to make the cake ahead or save some for later, it’s freezer-friendly! You can freeze the unfrosted cake wrapped tightly, or freeze individual frosted slices separated with parchment for easy snacking. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and enjoy Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting that tastes just as good as freshly made.

Reheating

To bring some warmth back to your cake, simply let a chilled slice sit at room temperature for about 20–30 minutes before serving. While it’s not necessary to heat this cake, you can give a plain, unfrosted slice a quick zap in the microwave for a cozy treat. Avoid microwaving frosted slices, as the frosting can melt.

FAQs

Can I make Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting in advance?

Absolutely! The whole cake can be baked one to two days ahead and refrigerated, unfrosted or frosted. If frosting the next day, just keep it well wrapped and chilled until serving time.

Do I have to use nuts in the cake?

Nope! The nuts are totally optional. If you’re not a fan or need a nut-free cake, simply leave them out—the Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting will still be wonderfully moist and full of flavor.

Can I use frozen bananas?

Yes, frozen bananas work great. Thaw them completely and drain off excess liquid before mashing and using in the batter.

Why does my cream cheese frosting seem too runny?

This usually means the butter or cream cheese was too soft, or the kitchen was extra warm. Add more powdered sugar to thicken, or briefly chill the frosting before spreading on your Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Can this recipe be made as cupcakes?

Definitely! Spoon the batter into lined muffin tins and bake for about 18–20 minutes. Top with swirls of cream cheese frosting and a sprinkle of nuts for mini versions of Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting that are perfect for parties or lunchboxes.

Final Thoughts

If you haven’t tried this Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting yet, consider this your sign. It’s easy, impressive, and every bit as scrumptious as you’d hope. From casual get-togethers to special celebrations, it’s a recipe that’s sure to be asked for again and again. So grab those ripe bananas and bake up a new favorite—you won’t regret it!

Print