If you’ve got a bunch of overripe bananas sitting on your counter, this Best Banana Bread Cake is the answer. It has everything you love about classic banana bread deep banana flavor, soft crumb, and comforting warmth but baked as a cake and topped with the fluffiest cream cheese frosting.
This recipe is a favorite for a reason. It’s easy, dependable, and bakes up perfectly every single time. The cake stays incredibly moist, thanks to ripe bananas and the right balance of fat and sugar, while the frosting adds a light, tangy contrast that makes each bite irresistible.
Whether you’re baking for family, guests, or just yourself, this banana bread cake is always a win.
Why This Is the Best Banana Bread Cake
- Super moist and tender texture
- Bold, fresh banana flavor
- Easy, beginner-friendly recipe
- Perfect use for overripe bananas
- Cream cheese frosting takes it over the top
If you love banana bread but want something a little more special, this cake delivers.
What Makes Banana Bread Cake Different?
Banana bread cake is lighter and more tender than traditional banana bread. It’s baked in a cake pan instead of a loaf, giving it a softer crumb and making it ideal for frosting. You still get that cozy banana bread flavor—but in a dessert-worthy form.
This version strikes the perfect balance between banana bread and classic cake, making it versatile enough for breakfast, dessert, or celebrations.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple pantry staples and ripe bananas.
For the Banana Cake
- Ripe bananas (the browner, the better)
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar & brown sugar – for sweetness and moisture
- Unsalted butter or oil – keeps the cake soft
- Eggs – structure and richness
- Sour cream or yogurt – extra moisture
- Baking soda & baking powder – perfect rise
- Vanilla extract
- Salt & cinnamon – enhance banana flavor
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- Cream cheese (brick-style)
- Unsalted butter
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
Optional Garnish
- Fresh banana slices
- Chopped walnuts or pecans
Tip: Always use very ripe bananas—they’re sweeter and mash more smoothly.
How to Make Best Banana Bread Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a cake pan.
- Mash bananas until smooth.
- Whisk together dry ingredients in a bowl.
- In another bowl, mix sugars, butter (or oil), eggs, sour cream, and vanilla.
- Stir in mashed bananas.
- Fold in dry ingredients just until combined.
- Pour batter into pan and smooth the top.
- Bake 35–45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely before frosting.
The cake should feel soft and springy, never dry.
Cream Cheese Frosting Tips
- Use room-temperature butter and cool cream cheese
- Beat until fluffy and smooth
- Don’t overmix or it can become loose
Spread generously—the frosting is half the magic.
Easy Variations
- Nutty banana cake: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter
- Chocolate chip banana cake: Fold in chocolate chips
- No frosting option: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with glaze
- Sheet cake version: Bake in a 9×13-inch pan for a crowd
When to Serve Banana Bread Cake
This cake works for almost any occasion:
- Afternoon snack
- Birthday or potluck dessert
- Weekend baking project
- Coffee or brunch gatherings
It’s casual enough for everyday baking, but special enough to share.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Store frosted cake in the refrigerator up to 4 days
- Bring to room temperature before serving
- Unfrosted cake can be frozen up to 2 months
- Frosting can be made a day ahead
The flavor actually improves after the first day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen bananas?
Yes—thaw and drain excess liquid first.
Is this cake very sweet?
No, it’s well-balanced with natural banana sweetness.
Can I make cupcakes?
Yes—bake for about 18–22 minutes.
Can I skip the frosting?
You can, but it’s highly recommended.
Final Thoughts
This Best Banana Bread Cake is proof that simple ingredients can create something truly special. Moist, flavorful, and topped with cloud-like cream cheese frosting, it’s the perfect way to turn old bananas into a dessert everyone loves.
One slice is never enough 🍌🍰
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Best Banana Bread Cake Ultra Moist with Cream Cheese Frosting
This Best Banana Bread Cake transforms overripe bananas into a soft, moist cake topped with fluffy cream cheese frosting. It’s easy, flavorful, and always a crowd favorite—perfect for dessert, brunch, or celebrations.
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 1 cake (9-inch square) 1x
Ingredients
For the Banana Bread Cake:
3 ripe bananas (mashed)
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup unsalted butter or vegetable oil
2 large eggs
½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp salt
½ tsp ground cinnamon
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
2–2½ cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Optional Toppings:
Chopped walnuts or pecans
Fresh banana slices
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8 or 9×9-inch cake pan.
2. Mash bananas in a bowl until smooth.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
4. In another bowl, cream together sugar, brown sugar, and butter or oil until smooth.
5. Add eggs, vanilla, sour cream, and mashed bananas. Mix until just combined.
6. Fold in the dry ingredients gently, being careful not to overmix.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
8. Bake for 35–45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Cool completely before frosting.
10. To make the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
11. Add powdered sugar gradually, then beat in vanilla until fluffy.
12. Frost the cooled cake and top with chopped nuts or banana slices if desired.
Notes
Use very ripe bananas for the best flavor.
Don’t overmix the batter—just fold until combined.
Store frosted cake in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Frosting can be made a day ahead and kept chilled.
Unfrosted cake freezes well up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
