Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting �🍌

A decadent twist on classic banana bread—this moist, spiced cake is topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting for the ultimate dessert!

Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 35-40 mins | Total Time: 1 hr (+ cooling)

Servings: 9×13-inch cake (12-16 slices)

Ingredients

For the Banana Cake:

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1½ cups)
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg (optional)
• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs, room temp
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup (120ml) buttermilk (or milk + ½ tbsp vinegar)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp heavy cream or milk (optional, for consistency)

(Optional: Chopped walnuts or pecans for topping)

Instructions

1. Make the Banana Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line with parchment.
2. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy (~3 mins).
4. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla and mashed bananas.
5. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk, mixing just until combined.
6. Pour batter into the pan and bake for 35-40 mins, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Let cake cool completely before frosting.

2. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting:

1. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth (~2 mins).
2. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla. If too thick, add cream/milk.
3. Spread over cooled cake. Sprinkle with nuts if desired.

Tips for Success

✔ Use overripe bananas (brown spots = sweeter, moister cake).
✔ Don’t overmix the batter—this keeps the cake tender.
✔ Chill frosting 10 mins if too soft to spread.

Serving Ideas

• ☕ Pair with coffee for breakfast (it’s technically banana bread, right?).
• 🎂 Layer into a round cake for birthdays.
• 🧁 Bake as cupcakes (reduce time to 20-25 mins).

This cake is rich, moist, and irresistibly creamy—banana lovers will adore it! Let me know if you’d like a healthier version (whole wheat, less sugar, etc.). 😊