The Fluffiest Banana Bread Cake Recipe Ever Baked

Banana bread cake refines humble ingredients into a delectable masterpiece of comfort and sweetness.

This nostalgic treat weaves together ripe, fragrant fruit with classic baking techniques that elevate simple home cooking.

Soft, moist textures define its irresistible character, promising a delightful experience in every single slice.

Warm spices and rich undertones create a sensory journey that connects generations through shared culinary memories.

Complex flavors emerge from carefully balanced ingredients, turning an ordinary dessert into something truly extraordinary.

Home bakers will find joy in crafting this timeless classic that welcomes improvisation and personal creativity.

Each crumb tells a story of warmth, tradition, and delicious possibilities.

Reasons to Love Banana Bread Cake

• Rescue Overripe Bananas: Transform those brown, mushy bananas into a delectable dessert instead of throwing them away, making this recipe a perfect solution for reducing food waste.
• Comfort in Every Bite: The moist, tender cake delivers a rich, creamy texture with warm vanilla and banana flavors that wrap you in pure comfort, perfect for family gatherings or cozy afternoons.
• Foolproof Baking Experience: With simple mixing steps and basic ingredients, this recipe welcomes bakers of all skill levels, promising a delicious result even for novice home cooks who want to create something impressive without complicated techniques.

The Goodies in Banana Bread Cake

Main Ingredients:

Fresh Ingredients: – Ripe Bananas: Soft, sweet bananas provide natural moisture and deep banana flavor for the cake. – Eggs: Binding agent that helps structure the cake and adds richness. – Sour Cream: Creates a tender, moist texture and adds subtle tanginess.

Dry Ingredients: – All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and base for the cake. – Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, fluffy texture. – Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

Fat and Sweetener Ingredients: – Butter, Sugar: Creamy base that creates a rich, sweet foundation for the cake. – Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, complex flavor depth.

Frosting Ingredients:

Creamy Base: – Butter, Cream Cheese: Smooth, rich base that creates a tangy, creamy frosting. – Vanilla Extract: Adds warm aromatic notes to the frosting.

Sweet and Soft Ingredients: – Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps thicken the frosting. – Heavy Whipping Cream: Creates a smooth, spreadable consistency.

Your Guide to Making Banana Bread Cake

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Dish

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Lightly coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment. Beat butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, creating a smooth base.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

• Eggs
• Sour cream
• Vanilla extract

Blend until the mixture is creamy and well combined.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Baking soda
• Salt

Mix on low speed until just combined, avoiding overmixing.

Step 5: Fold in Bananas

Carefully fold mashed bananas into the batter, ensuring even distribution.

Step 6: Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Bake for 25-35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean or with moist crumbs.

Step 7: Cool the Cake

Allow the cake to cool completely before adding frosting.

Step 8: Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting

• Butter
• Cream cheese

Mix until smooth and creamy.

Step 9: Finish the Frosting

• Vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar
• Heavy whipping cream

Start mixing on low speed, gradually increasing as needed. Continue until the frosting reaches a thick, spreadable consistency.

Step 10: Frost and Serve

Once the cake has cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Slice and enjoy your delicious banana bread cake!

Tips to Elevate Your Banana Bread Cake

• Select Perfectly Ripe Bananas: Use bananas with dark brown or black spots for maximum sweetness and deeper banana flavor.
• Avoid Overmixing Batter: Gently fold ingredients to prevent tough, dense cake texture and maintain light, tender crumb.
• Check Moisture Level: Insert toothpick at cake's center; moist crumbs are perfect, but no wet batter indicates ideal doneness.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Bring butter, eggs, and sour cream to room temperature for smoother, more consistent mixing and better cake structure.
• Frost Only When Cool: Ensure cake is completely cooled to prevent frosting from melting and sliding off the surface.

Smart Storage and Reheat Tips for Banana Bread Cake

• Refrigerate Leftovers: Store your banana bread cake in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keeping the cake cool prevents moisture loss and maintains its soft texture.
• Freezing Option: Slice the cake and place individual portions between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cake can last up to 3 months when properly sealed. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheating Method: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 325°F for 5-7 minutes. Adding a slight warm-up helps restore the cake's original moisture and brings back its fresh-baked flavor.

Flavors That Go Well with Banana Bread Cake

• Brew the Perfect Coffee Companion: Pair this rich banana bread cake with a smooth, medium-roast Colombian coffee that highlights the cake's sweet banana notes and complements its creamy cream cheese frosting.
• Enhance with Nutty Liqueur: Serve a small glass of hazelnut or amaretto liqueur alongside the cake, which will accentuate the dessert's warm, comforting flavors and provide a delightful adult twist.
• Create a Creamy Milk Match: Enjoy a cold glass of whole milk or a vanilla-infused almond milk to balance the cake's sweetness and provide a refreshing contrast to the dense, moist texture.
• Garnish with Fresh Fruit Accent: Top the cake slice with fresh berries like strawberries or raspberries to add a bright, tangy element that cuts through the richness and adds a pop of color and freshness.

Banana Bread Cake Variations to Explore

• Nutty Banana Bliss: Add 1 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for extra crunch and rich flavor. Toast the nuts beforehand to enhance their natural sweetness and depth.
• Chocolate Banana Dream: Fold 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips into the batter and sprinkle additional chips on top before baking. Drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled frosting for an indulgent finish.
• Tropical Banana Breeze: Mix 1/2 cup of shredded coconut into the batter and top with a cream cheese frosting. Garnish with toasted coconut flakes for a sunny, island-inspired touch.
• Spiced Banana Comfort: Incorporate 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, and a pinch of ground ginger into the dry ingredients for a warm, aromatic profile that elevates the classic banana bread experience.

Banana Bread Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Warm banana bread cake brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, blending ripe bananas with rich butter and sweet spices. Moist layers promise a delightful slice of homemade happiness you’ll savor to the last crumb.

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Ingredients

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Banana Cake Ingredients:

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup mashed bananas (about 3 bananas)
• 1½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup full-fat sour cream

Wet Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:

Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, full-fat

Wet Ingredients:

• ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly coat a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish with cooking spray, ensuring complete coverage.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, utilize an electric mixer to thoroughly blend softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, approximately 3-4 minutes.
3. Incorporate room-temperature eggs one at a time, followed by sour cream and pure vanilla extract, mixing continuously until the ingredients are seamlessly integrated.
4. Sift together all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt, then gradually add to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined to prevent over-working the batter.
5. Gently fold in ripe, thoroughly mashed bananas, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture without deflating the air incorporated during previous mixing.
6. Transfer the batter into the prepared baking dish, using a spatula to spread it uniformly and tap the dish to release any potential air bubbles.
7. Position the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 27-33 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge with minimal moist crumbs.
8. Remove from oven and allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack for approximately 1-1.5 hours before applying frosting.
9. For the frosting, beat softened cream cheese and unsalted butter until completely smooth and free of lumps.
10. Gradually introduce vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and heavy whipping cream, starting at low speed and incrementally increasing to create a luxurious, spreadable consistency.
11. Once the cake has cooled, generously spread the frosting across the surface, ensuring an even layer that covers the entire cake.

Notes

• Store overripe bananas in the freezer for spontaneous baking adventures, as they add incredible moisture and natural sweetness to this delectable cake.
• Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature to create a smoother, more evenly mixed batter that results in a tender crumb.
• Don’t overmix the batter after adding flour, as this can lead to a tough, dense cake – mix just until ingredients are combined.
• Check cake doneness early to prevent drying out – start testing at 25 minutes with a toothpick inserted in the center.
• Room temperature cream cheese and butter are crucial for creating silky, lump-free frosting that spreads like a dream.
• For extra flavor complexity, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter or sprinkle chopped nuts on top of the frosting.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 385 kcal
• Sugar: 42 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg