💡 The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your cake will be.
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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2½–3 cups powdered sugar
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1 tsp vanilla extract
How Ripe Should Bananas Be?
For best results:
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Banana peels should be heavily speckled or fully brown
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Overripe bananas = maximum sweetness and moisture
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Avoid green or yellow bananas—they lack depth
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prepare
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease and line a 9×9-inch square pan or two 8-inch round pans with parchment paper.
Step 2: Cream Butter & Sugar
In a large bowl:
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Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes)
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Add eggs one at a time, mixing well
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Stir in vanilla extract
Step 3: Add Bananas & Dairy
Mix in:
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Mashed bananas
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Sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
The batter may look slightly curdled—this is normal.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk:
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Flour
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Baking soda
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Salt
Gradually fold into the wet ingredients until just combined.
Do not overmix—this keeps the cake tender.
Step 5: Bake
Pour batter into prepared pan(s).
Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let cake cool completely before frosting.
How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting
Step 1: Beat the Base
Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth and fluffy.
Step 2: Sweeten
Gradually add powdered sugar, beating well after each addition.
Step 3: Flavor
Mix in vanilla extract and beat until light, creamy, and spreadable.
Frosting the Cake
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Spread frosting evenly over cooled cake
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Garnish with:
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Banana slices
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Chopped walnuts or pecans
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A sprinkle of cinnamon
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Texture & Flavor Profile
This cake delivers:
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Ultra-moist crumb
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Balanced sweetness
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Strong banana aroma
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Tangy, creamy frosting
It’s rich but not heavy—perfect with coffee or tea.
Pro Tips for the Best Banana Bread Cake
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Use room-temperature ingredients
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Measure flour correctly (spoon & level)
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Don’t overmix the batter
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Cool completely before frosting
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Chill frosting slightly if too soft
Delicious Variations
🌰 Banana Nut Cake
Add:
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½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
🍫 Chocolate Chip Banana Cake
Fold in:
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½ cup chocolate chips
🍌 Layered Banana Cake
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Bake in two round pans
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Frost between layers for a celebration cake
🧁 Banana Cupcakes
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Bake in cupcake liners (18–20 minutes)
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Pipe frosting on top
What to Serve With Banana Bread Cake
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Hot coffee or latte
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Black or chai tea
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Vanilla ice cream
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Fresh berries
Make-Ahead, Storage & Freezing
Make-Ahead
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Bake cake 1 day in advance
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Frost before serving for best texture
Storage
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Store frosted cake in airtight container
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Refrigerate up to 4 days
Freezing
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Freeze unfrosted cake up to 3 months
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Wrap tightly in plastic and foil
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Thaw overnight before frosting
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use oil instead of butter?
Yes—use ½ cup vegetable oil for extra moisture.
Can I reduce sugar?
You can reduce sugar by ¼ cup, but flavor will be slightly less rich.
Is this banana bread or cake?
It’s the best of both—banana bread flavor with cake texture.
Why This Recipe Works
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Bananas provide natural moisture and sweetness
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Sour cream adds tenderness
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Butter creates rich flavor
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Cream cheese frosting balances sweetness perfectly
It’s a proven crowd-pleaser that works every time.
Perfect Occasions for This Cake
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Family gatherings
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Birthdays
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Brunch spreads
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Potlucks
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Holiday desserts
SEO Keywords Naturally Included
Banana bread cake with cream cheese frosting, banana cake recipe, moist banana cake, banana dessert with cream cheese frosting, easy banana cake.
Final Thoughts
This Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is everything you love about banana bread—only softer, richer, and more indulgent. Whether you serve it as a casual dessert or a celebration cake, it’s guaranteed to impress.
👉 Save this recipe, bake it soon, and enjoy every creamy, banana-packed bite 🍌🍰
