Best Banana Cake Recipe
A moist homemade banana cake made with mashed bananas and topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting.
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Ingredients
Banana Cake
3 bananas, mashed (about 1 ½ cups)
½ cup salted butter, melted
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 ¼ cups whole milk, room temperature
¼ cup sour cream, room temperature
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ¼ teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan.
- Mix flour, baking soda, sea salt, and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Mash bananas in a large bowl.
- Add melted butter, sugar, and vanilla extract and mix.
- Add eggs, sour cream, and milk and combine.
- Add dry ingredients and stir until smooth.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 35–45 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool the cake completely.
- Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth.
- Add vanilla and 2 cups powdered sugar, then mix until smooth.
- Add additional powdered sugar if needed for a spreadable frosting.
- Spread frosting over cooled cake.
- Chill for at least 3 hours or overnight before serving.
Notes
- Serve cold or at room temperature. Top with crushed pecans, walnuts, or extra banana slices if desired.
- Nutrition information is based on the supplied recipe details and may vary depending on ingredients and quantities used.
This homemade banana cake is a soft, moist dessert made with ripe bananas, warm cinnamon, and a smooth cream cheese frosting. Made without a mixer, this recipe combines simple baking ingredients into a tender cake with plenty of banana flavor and a creamy topping that makes every slice feel special.
Recipe at a Glance
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Additional Time: 3 hours chilling time
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 357 per serving
Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Uses mashed bananas to create a naturally moist and tender cake texture.
- Requires no mixer for preparing the cake batter, making the process simple.
- Combines classic banana flavor with a smooth cream cheese frosting.
- Makes a generous 9×13-inch cake that is easy to slice and serve.
- Can be prepared ahead and chilled before serving.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Banana Cake
3 bananas, mashed (about 1 ½ cups)
½ cup salted butter, melted
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 ¼ cups whole milk, room temperature
¼ cup sour cream, room temperature
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ¼ teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon sea salt
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
½ cup salted butter, softened
2 ½ cups powdered sugar
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Ingredient Notes
Mashed bananas provide moisture and the main flavor of the cake, while sour cream and whole milk contribute to a softer crumb. The cinnamon adds a gentle warm spice that complements the sweetness of the bananas.
For the frosting, room-temperature cream cheese and butter help create a smoother texture that spreads easily over the cooled cake.
Easy Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour
Cake flour or all-purpose gluten-free flour can be used as alternatives.
Salted Butter
Unsalted butter can be used instead. You can also replace up to half of the butter with canola oil or applesauce.
Granulated Sugar
Up to ½ cup of white sugar can be replaced with brown sugar. Organic cane sugar can also be used.
Sour Cream
Greek yogurt can be substituted for sour cream while maintaining a creamy texture.
Whole Milk
2% milk can be used. Skim and fat-free milk are not recommended for this recipe.
Milk and Sour Cream Combination
The sour cream and whole milk can both be replaced with 1 ½ cups of buttermilk.
How to Make Banana Cake
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pan
Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and set it aside.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, sea salt, and cinnamon. Set the mixture aside while preparing the wet ingredients.
Step 3: Prepare the Banana Mixture
Mash the bananas in a large bowl. Add the melted butter, sugar, and vanilla extract, then mix until combined.
Step 4: Add the Remaining Wet Ingredients
Add the eggs, sour cream, and milk to the banana mixture. Stir until everything is evenly incorporated.
Step 5: Make the Cake Batter
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir until the batter is uniform and free of lumps.
Avoid overmixing once the flour is added, as gentle mixing helps maintain a soft cake texture.
Step 6: Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 35–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool completely to room temperature before adding the frosting.
How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting
Step 1: Beat the Butter and Cream Cheese
While the cake is baking, prepare the frosting by beating the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth.
Step 2: Add Sugar and Vanilla
Add vanilla extract and 2 cups of powdered sugar. Beat until smooth, starting at low speed and increasing to medium-high.
Add up to ½ cup additional powdered sugar if needed to reach a thick, spreadable consistency.
Assemble, Chill, and Serve
Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled banana cake.
Chill the frosted cake for at least 3 hours or overnight. Serve cold or allow it to come to room temperature before serving.
Tips for the Best Banana Cake
- Use room-temperature eggs, milk, and sour cream so the batter combines more evenly.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent the cream cheese frosting from becoming soft.
- Mix the batter only until combined after adding flour to help keep the cake tender.
- Chill the finished cake before slicing for cleaner pieces.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Frosting the Cake While It Is Warm
Adding cream cheese frosting to a warm cake can cause it to soften or become difficult to spread.
Overmixing the Batter
Mixing too much after adding flour can affect the texture of the cake and make it less tender.
Using Cold Ingredients
Cold dairy ingredients may not combine as smoothly with the other ingredients. Room-temperature ingredients help create a more even batter.
Variations
Banana Nut Cake
Add crushed pecans or walnuts on top before serving for extra texture.
Extra Banana Flavor
Serve slices with additional banana slices for a stronger banana presentation.
Brown Sugar Variation
Replace part of the granulated sugar with brown sugar for a slightly deeper caramel-like sweetness.
What to Serve With Banana Cake
This cake works well served on its own, but you can also pair it with:
- Coffee or tea
- Fresh fruit
- Chopped pecans or walnuts
- Extra banana slices
How to Store Banana Cake
Store leftover banana cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Because the cake is topped with cream cheese frosting, refrigeration helps maintain the frosting texture and freshness.
How to Freeze Banana Cake
Banana cake can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Before freezing, wrap the cake in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container to help protect its texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make banana cake without a mixer?
Yes. The cake batter can be prepared without a mixer by combining the ingredients by hand.
How ripe should bananas be for banana cake?
Use bananas that are soft enough to mash easily, as mashed bananas provide moisture and banana flavor throughout the cake.
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Yes. Greek yogurt can replace sour cream in this recipe.
Should banana cake be refrigerated?
Yes. Since this cake is topped with cream cheese frosting, leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Can I freeze banana cake with cream cheese frosting?
Yes. The cake can be frozen for up to 2 months when properly wrapped or stored in an airtight container.
